Vishing Scams (Phone call scams)

Vishing

Vishing is a type of phishing attack that involves scammers using phone calls to trick people into sharing sensitive information. The term is short for "voice phishing"

Scammers may impersonate a bank, credit card company, or other financial institution to gain unauthorized access to accounts. They may claim there is suspicious activity and ask for account details and login credentials.

Vishing can involve Caller ID spoofing; use software to make it appear as if the call is coming from a legitimate institution, such as a tax agency or hospital.

Identifying Vishing

Here are some common signs of a vishing attack: 

• The call starts with a pre-recorded message
• The call starts with an awkward long pause while the scammer prepares to take the call
• The caller creates a sense of urgency
• The caller pressures you for answers
• The caller asks for sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers
• The caller offers you something that is too good to be true
• The caller make mistakes when referring to things. i.e. Wrong College name or mis-pronunciations 
• The call is of poor audio quality

If you experience some of these signs during an unsolicited call, simply tell the caller you know the call is a scam and hang up!

What Else Can You Do? 

Beyond identifying the commons signs you can:

• Screen your calls
  • Don’t answer calls form numbers you don't recognize
• Be wary of Caller ID
• If you do answer an unsolicited call:
  • Never provide any sensitive information!
  • Tell the caller you are going to call them back, hang up and do some research before going forward:
    • Check our their website
    • Search the phone number used to contact you to help determine if its legitimate
  • Contact the Fleming College IT Service Desk for advice.

Official Fleming College phone numbers:

Fleming Toll Free

• 1-866-353-646

Sutherland Campus (Peterborough)

• 705-749-5520

Frost Campus (Lindsay)

• 705-324-9144

Haliburton Campus 

• 705-457-1680