Gone Vishing

CONSUMER ALERT

here’s a new security scam in town. Voice phishing, or “vishing,” encourages victims to type their bank account or credit card numbers on their telephone keypads.

Here’s how it works: People receive an e-mail or voice mail saying someone is illegally using their credit card or bank account and urging them to call a certain phone number immediately to clear up the mess. Once they do, a recorded voice instructs them to type in the account number—while the scammers use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to detect their keystrokes.

So be smart. If you get any kind of message about a credit card, call the company directly, using the customer service number located on the back of the card.

—Laura Baron