Vishing\u2014a blend of “voice” and “phishing”\u2014is a growing threat where scammers use phone calls or voice-over-IP (VoIP) to trick you into revealing personal, financial, or institutional information. They often use clever techniques to sound legitimate, but a little awareness can keep you, your data, and our institution safe.<\/p>\n
This is a critical reminder for all faculty, staff, and students<\/strong> about what to watch out for, what to do if you receive a suspicious call, and how to report it.<\/p>\n Vishing calls often create a sense of urgency<\/strong> or fear<\/strong> to prevent you from thinking clearly. Be immediately suspicious if a caller uses any of the following tactics:<\/p>\n The caller ID may display a seemingly legitimate number, such as an internal campus office, your bank, or a government agency (like the IRS). Scammers use technology to “spoof” these numbers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Actionable Tip:<\/strong> Never trust a caller ID alone.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Financial Threat: <\/strong>The caller claims your account will be suspended, your tuition payment is overdue, or you owe a large tax debt that must be paid immediately.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Legal Threat: <\/strong>They claim you are facing arrest, a lawsuit, or disciplinary action unless you comply with their instructions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n IT\/System Threat:<\/strong> They say there is a critical problem with your computer, email account, or campus network access that requires you to download software or give them remote access.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n A legitimate institution (especially IT or Financial Aid) will almost never <\/strong>call you out of the blue and ask for your:<\/p>\n Full Password or PIN.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) codes<\/strong> (If a caller asks for an MFA code, it is a scam 100% of the time).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Full Social Security Number (SSN).<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Credit Card or Bank Account Number.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n These are some of the most dangerous vishing scams because they prey on your love and concern for family.<\/p>\n The caller claims to be a loved one (a grandchild, niece, son, or daughter) who is in immediate danger, often crying or whispering to heighten the panic.<\/p>\n This terrifying tactic involves the scammer claiming they are holding a family member hostage and demanding a ransom be paid immediately. The call may include background noises like muffled crying or shouting.<\/p>\n Your best defense against vishing is to pause, verify, and never feel rushed.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you detect any of the red flags, simply hang up. You do not need to be polite or explain yourself.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Do not<\/strong> engage in conversation, argue, or press any numbers they instruct you to.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n For Institutional Calls:<\/strong> If the call claims<\/em> to be from a campus department or your bank, find the official, published phone number<\/strong> and call them back directly to confirm if they actually tried to reach you.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n For Family Calls:<\/strong> If a “family member” calls with an emergency, immediately call that person back<\/strong> on their known, verified phone number (e.g., their cell phone). If you can’t reach them, call another close family member who can verify their location. Scammers rely on you acting before you think.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The caller demands payment using non-standard methods like gift cards<\/strong> (e.g., Apple, Google Play), cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Legitimate organizations and law enforcement will never request payment via gift cards or unsecured wire transfer for bail or debt.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Reporting suspicious calls helps us track patterns, warn the community, and protect our systems.<\/p>\n
\nWhat to Watch Out For: The Red Flags of a Vishing Attack<\/h2>\n
1. Spoofed Caller ID<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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2. Immediate Threat or Demand (Institutional)<\/h3>\n
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3. Request for Sensitive Information<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nEmotional Scams: When They Target Your Heartstrings<\/h2>\n
Example: The Family-in-Distress Scam<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Example: The Kidnapping\/Hostage Scam<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nWhat to Do If You Get a Suspicious Call<\/h2>\n
1. Hang Up Immediately<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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2. Verify Identity Independently<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3. Be Wary of Payment Methods<\/h3>\n
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\nHow to Report a Vishing Attempt<\/h2>\n