FBI warns that "vishing" attacks are on the rise

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the number of "vishing" complaints received by the center is increasing at what it calls "an alarming rate." Vishing and phishing are related, and both rely on e-mail as a means of delivering bait, but the two use different hooks in order to snag user data.

Vishing starts with an e-mail, like phishing, but requests that end-users contact a particular institution by phone in order to resolve an issue or re-secure personal data. People who call the provided number will be asked to provide the same types of data phishers attempt to procure.

As always, the best defense against phishing or vishing is a little common sense. If your bank or other financial institution with which you are affiliated contacts you requesting personal data, hang up (or call them) using only the number provided on the back of your card or official statement.