10 Real-Life Callback Phishing Examples and How to Protect Your Business

In 2024, callback phishing has become a serious threat for companies of all sizes. Unlike traditional phishing attacks, where attackers simply send a malicious email, callback phishing takes things a step further. Attackers use social engineering techniques to convince victims to call a phone number provided in the email. Once on the phone, they use urgency and trust-building tactics to gather sensitive information.

Because callback phishing relies on direct, real-time communication, it can be harder to detect and prevent. To counter this growing threat, companies should focus on security awareness training, phishing simulations, and incident response planning. These strategies help employees recognize the warning signs of callback phishing and respond correctly to potential threats.

Let’s look at 10 real-world examples of callback phishing and see how companies can protect themselves from these types of attacks.

What Is Callback Phishing?

Callback phishing is a phishing tactic where attackers trick employees into calling a phone number provided in a fake email. Unlike typical phishing, which tries to gather information directly through email, callback phishing uses a phone call to engage the target. Once employees call, attackers use social engineering—often citing urgent account issues or payment verifications—to collect sensitive details.

This method bypasses traditional email security since the interaction happens outside of email, making it harder to detect and block. By shifting channels, attackers gain employees’ trust and use this connection to extract confidential information.

Why Is Callback Phishing a Growing Threat?

Callback phishing is growing in popularity because of its high success rate, especially as attackers develop more sophisticated methods that make these phishing calls look like legitimate, professional communications. Cybercriminals often use trusted names—like banks, IT support desks, or popular services—to create a sense of urgency or authority. This tactic makes employees feel a false sense of urgency or trust, leading them to follow instructions they would normally question.

The evolving tactics of callback phishing call for stronger organizational defenses, including Security Awareness Training and Phishing Simulations that prepare employees for these types of scenarios.

Below, we explore 10 real-world examples of callback phishing attacks that illustrate how these schemes operate and why targeted training is essential.

1. Fake Subscription Renewals

Imagine your accounting team receives an email about an “urgent renewal” for antivirus software, warning that a significant charge is about to be processed. The email provides a phone number to call immediately if they wish to cancel. When they call, they’re connected to a fake support agent who appears helpful but is actually gathering sensitive company details, such as payment information or login credentials.

Phishing simulations can help employees recognize red flags in these scenarios, like unexpected renewal requests, urgent payment claims, or unfamiliar contact numbers. With training, employees learn to verify such requests independently, helping them avoid falling victim to these convincing scams.

2. Impersonated Bank Alerts

Attackers posing as bank representatives alert employees to “unusual transactions” on the company’s account, creating a sense of urgency. The email provides a “secure” phone number to call for assistance. When employees call, they reach a fake support agent who requests sensitive account details, claiming it's necessary for verification.

Security Awareness Training equips employees to recognize these types of scams, teaching them to spot warning signs like unexpected transaction alerts and unfamiliar contact numbers. This training helps significantly reduce the risk of falling for callback phishing scams.

3. CEO Impersonation for Urgent Wire Transfers

In this high-stakes scam, attackers impersonate the CEO and send an urgent email to the finance team, claiming a critical wire transfer needs immediate processing. The email includes a phone number for “urgent verification.” When employees call, they are directed by scammers to wire funds to fraudulent accounts, believing they are following legitimate instructions.

Security Awareness Training and Phishing Simulations focused on callback phishing help employees recognize red flags in high-pressure requests like these. Training modules on spear phishing and realistic simulations give employees practical tools to verify unusual transfer requests with company leaders before taking action, helping prevent costly mistakes.

4. Fake Vendor Invoices

Attackers often target businesses that regularly interact with vendors by sending fake invoices that appear to come from trusted vendors. These invoices, sent from spoofed email addresses, include a callback number for “verification.” When employees call, the attacker pretends to confirm invoice details but instead collects sensitive financial information.

Human Risk Management tools help reduce exposure to such attacks by monitoring and addressing common human errors. This proactive approach ensures employees are trained to verify invoices and vendor communications independently, preventing them from falling victim to such scams.

5. Technical Support Scams

In this type of scam, phishing emails presented as technical support alerts warn employees of “critical issues” with company systems. The email includes a callback number, urging employees to call for immediate assistance. When they call, attackers posing as support agents request login credentials, claiming it’s necessary to resolve the issue.

Through Security Awareness Training, employees can learn to recognize suspicious support requests, verify legitimate support contacts, and avoid falling victim to these social engineering tactics. Training prepares them to question unexpected technical requests, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

6. Account Suspensions and Access Recovery

In this tactic, attackers impersonate support staff from services like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, notifying employees of a “temporary account suspension.” The email instructs employees to call a provided number to “restore access.” When employees call, the attackers—posing as support agents—collect login credentials under the guise of account recovery.

Security Awareness Training can teach employees to verify account suspension messages by contacting the service provider directly through official channels. Instead of using phone numbers provided in suspicious emails, employees should be trained to access support through verified portals or official contact details, ensuring they’re speaking with legitimate representatives and protecting sensitive information from phishing attempts.

7. Charity Donation Scams

In this scam, cybercriminals exploit employees' goodwill by posing as representatives of charitable organizations. They call employees, requesting donations for a cause and ask for credit card information under the pretense of “verifying the transaction.” Once employees provide payment details, attackers capture this sensitive information for fraudulent use.

Security Awareness Training and Phishing Simulators can help employees recognize emotionally manipulative tactics like these. Simulated phishing exercises focused on fake donation requests, combined with training on identifying red flags and verifying requests, are effective ways to reduce the risk of falling victim to charity donation scams.

8. Subscription Cancelation Scams for Popular Services

In this scam, attackers pose as representatives from popular services like Netflix or Amazon, claiming there is an issue with the employee’s subscription. The email or message instructs employees to call a number for “account verification.” When employees call, the attackers request personal or payment information under the guise of resolving the issue.

Phishing simulations that mimic these common subscription scams can help employees learn to distinguish between legitimate support requests and callback phishing attempts. With practice, employees become better equipped to recognize suspicious prompts and verify requests before sharing sensitive information.

9. IT Department Impersonation

In this type of scam, cybercriminals impersonate the internal IT department, notifying employees of “urgent software updates” or “required password resets.” The message includes a phone number to call for assistance. When employees call, they are connected to attackers who request login credentials under the pretense of helping with the update or reset—posing a significant security risk.

Security Awareness Training with realistic IT support scenarios helps employees learn how to handle urgent requests safely. These training programs simulate common IT requests, such as software updates or password resets, and teach employees how to verify them through official channels. This approach equips employees to protect company information and avoid sharing sensitive credentials with unauthorized parties.

10. Fake HR Communications

In this scam, attackers impersonate HR representatives, sending messages about “updates on benefits” or “important account changes” and prompting employees to call a provided number for more information. When employees call, the attackers posing as HR staff request sensitive personal data, such as Social Security numbers or bank details.

Security Awareness Training helps employees learn to validate HR communications before sharing personal information. By teaching employees to confirm HR-related requests through official channels, this training helps reduce the risk of data breaches caused by callback phishing scams targeting HR topics.

How Callback Phishing Affects Your Organization

Callback phishing is more disruptive than typical email threats, as it directly targets employees' trust and urgency by getting them on a call. Attackers use conversational tactics to extract sensitive information, leading to serious consequences for organizations:

• Data Breaches: Employees unintentionally reveal confidential information, causing data leaks and possible fines.
• Reputation Damage: A successful phishing attack can erode trust with clients and partners, impacting business relationships.
• Financial Losses: Beyond direct fraud, organizations face indirect costs such as lost productivity and resources spent on damage control and recovery.

Protecting Your Company Against Callback Phishing with Keepnet

As callback phishing (or voice phishing) threats grow, companies need effective solutions to train and prepare employees. Keepnet provides this with its Callback Phishing Simulator, offering over 250 customizable templates in 30+ languages. This simulator enables organizations to run realistic phishing exercises, helping employees develop strong detection skills and a proactive security mindset.

Additionally, here’s how Keepnet’s platform protects against callback phishing:

• Security Awareness Training: Tailored modules cover common social engineering tactics, ensuring employees are vigilant and prepared.
• Human Risk Management: Risk tracking tools provide insights for targeted training, reducing susceptibility to phishing.
• Incident Response: Keepnet’s tools enable quick analysis and containment of phishing incidents, ensuring fast, coordinated responses.

With Keepnet, organizations foster a resilient security culture, keeping employees alert to phishing risks. Book a demo to see how Keepnet can strengthen your defenses against phishing threats.