Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing

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Cybercriminals often try to trick people to get their personal information. Their primary trick is called social engineering. It’s when bad people pretend to be someone you trust, like a family member needing money or a government worker saying you owe taxes.

There are three main ways they do this: Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing.

1. Phishing: Tricky Emails

Phishing is when criminals send fake emails to try and steal your personal info. They pretend to be from someone you trust, like your bank. Here’s how to spot phishing emails:

  • Suspicious Links
  • Unfamiliar Senders
  • Generic Greetings
  • Spelling and Grammar Mistakes
  • Urgent Language
  • Unexpected Attachments - Don’t open attachments from people you don’t know.

How to Avoid Phishing:

  • Verify the Sender - Contact the company directly if you’re unsure.
  • Check the URL
  • Look for HTTPS - The “s” in “https” means the site is secure.
  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
  • Stay Alert: Always be cautious with emails.

 

 

2. Smishing: Tricky Text Messages

Smishing is like phishing but through text messages. Criminals send fake texts to steal your info. Here’s how to spot smishing:

  • Unexpected Texts
  • Unknown Numbers
  • Generic Greetings - Smishing texts might also say “Dear Customer.”
  • Spelling and Grammar Errors
  • Urgent Language
  • Unusual Links

How to Avoid Smishing:

  • Verify the Sender
  • Don’t Click on Links
  • Don’t Share Personal Info
  • Block and Report

 

 

3. Vishing: Tricky Phone Calls

Vishing is when criminals use fake phone calls to trick you. They pretend to be from a company, the government, or even someone you know. Here’s how to spot vishing:

  • Verify the Caller - Hang up and call the company directly if you’re unsure.
  • Robot Voices
  • Don’t Share Personal Info
  • Use Caller ID Carefully - Sometimes, scammers can make their number look real.
  • Register with Do Not Call List
  • Hang Up

How to Avoid Vishing:

  • Report the Call
  • Block the Number
  • Think About the Call - Ask yourself what the caller wants and how they got your number.

 

 

Stay Safe from Scams

The best way to stay safe is to always be careful. If you get an email, text, or call asking for personal information, double-check who it’s from. Don’t click on links or give out your info until you’re sure it’s safe.