Vishing computer fraud

 

Beware of phone calls from fake operators of credit card companies

The Postal and Communications Police informs that, in the last period, complaints from citizens have increased in relation to unauthorized charges on their credit cards, as a result of scams by telephone known to the postal police with the term " Vishing "(from English voice-phishing or voice phishing).

The victim of these frauds is contacted by telephone by fake bank operators or credit card issuing companies, who reporting alleged "anomalies" in the management of the credit card or current account, notify the person who, in his own interest, is necessary to activate phantom "safety procedures".

Fraudsters therefore ask the victim to read aloud the "confirmation code" which, at that moment, appears via message on the telephone display.

This code, however, is nothing more than the authorization code of a transaction that the scammers are now attempting to carry out via the web against the unsuspecting victim.

In fact, cyber criminals who previously came into possession of credit card data (card number, expiry date and CVV), need to know this security code to complete a transaction in progress, and thus subtract the victim's money.

The latter, believing in good faith that she acted correctly to secure her own account or payment card, realizes only subsequently (often, upon receipt of the account statement) that there are actually outgoing movements not authorized, also equal to several thousand Euros, for the purchase of goods and services never requested on online platforms.

Once again, the importance of never revealing to anyone, via phone or via social media or email, our most sensitive data, our dispositive passwords, PINs or our access codes, however named, is underlined.

It is advisable to always be wary of subjects who request such data, presenting themselves as operators of public institutions, important companies or banking institutions. On the other hand, it is useful to carry out simple and careful checks, contacting the body involved who will be able to confirm our suspicions.

As soon as possible, in case of need, it is good to contact the Postal and Communications Police, available to citizens to receive complaints and to provide any support and clarification, through their offices and their virtual channels (www.commissariatodips.it). .

Vishing computer fraud