In times when we use our cell phones and computers for everything, from vital transactions to personal conversations, it’s important to be alert to cyber threats. “Phishing,” “vishing,” and “smishing” may sound similar, but each refers to a different type of fraud used by cybercriminals to steal private data through electronic means.  Learning about these scams is important so you won’t fall for them.

This is likely the method most frequently used by cybercriminals. It consists of sending fraudulent emails that direct customers to false web pages that appear to be the page of a real entity, for example, a bank. This type of fraud can also occur through Facebook in the form of false fan pages that post fraudulent content asking users for confidential information.

The term derives from the combination of two words, “voice” and “phishing,” and refers to a type of threat that combines a fraudulent phone call with personal information that cybercriminals have previously obtained online. This is why it’s always important to keep your social networks private and never publish your personal information.

Phone calls, texts, and WhatsApp messages are also a way to try to deceive customers, and this is where the scam known as “smishing” comes from. This type of fraud consists of sending someone a text message urging them to call a number the cybercriminal has provided or click on a link to enter their credentials. If the person makes the mistake of calling, the cybercriminal will try to deceive them with a made-up story designed to emotionally manipulate them and get them to share their personal data in order to steal their information.

The simple solution to all these practices is to ignore messages, calls or emails that ask you to make a call, perform a transaction or provide data. Pay special attention to suspicious numbers and call the number of the bank you always call to confirm that the call, text or email you just received is legitimate.

In our next post in this series, we will explain some tricks and how to outsmart fraudsters 🤓.

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