Phishing, Smishing, Vishing: Don’t Take the Bait

Scammers are getting creative, but their goal is always the same—to steal your personal information. Phishing, smishing, and vishing are different ways they try to trick you into handing it over. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead. 

How These Scams Work 

• Phishing (Email Scams): You get an email that looks legit—maybe from your bank, a friend or even your church. It asks you to click a link, update your password, or confirm your account details. The link leads to a fake site designed to steal your info.
• Smishing (Text Message Scams): A text pops up claiming you’ve won a prize, your account has been compromised, or you need to verify a charge. The link? A trap. Clicking it could install malware or steal your login credentials.
• Vishing (Phone Call Scams): A caller, often pretending to be from your bank, tech support, or even the IRS, pressures you to provide sensitive information over the phone. They may spoof a real phone number to seem credible.

Red Flags to Watch For 

• Urgency and fear tactics. “Act now, or your account will be locked!” Scammers want you to panic.
• Requests for personal info. No real company will ask for your passwords, PINs, or full Social Security number over email, text, or phone.
• Suspicious links. Hover over a link before clicking—if it looks strange or doesn’t match the sender, don’t trust it.
• Unexpected attachments. A random invoice, receipt, or tracking number? Don’t open it. It could be malware.
• Caller ID tricks. Just because it looks like your bank’s number doesn’t mean it is. Always hang up and call back using a trusted number.

If you get a message, email, or call that feels off—stop, think, and verify. When in doubt, contact us directly at 833.316.3167.