10 Examples of Vishing and How to Prevent Them

Voice phishing, or vishing, is no longer about clumsy robocalls with broken English. Today’s attackers use AI-powered voices, spoofed caller IDs, and multi-channel pressure to trick people into handing over money, data, or system access. The FBI reports tens of millions lost each year to vishing scams, and according to Keepnet’s Vishing Response Report, 70% of organizations still fall for vishing attempts.

If you’ve ever asked, “what is an example of vishing?” or “how to protect yourself from vishing?”—this article is for you. Below, we’ll cover 10 modern examples of vishing attacks (2023–2025) and the vishing protection tips you can use to stop them.

What is Vishing? (Quick Refresher)

Vishing—short for voice phishing—is a social engineering scam that uses phone calls or VoIP to trick people into giving away sensitive data like passwords, MFA codes, or banking details. Unlike email phishing, vishing plays on the urgency and authority of a real-time voice, making it harder to resist.

Common goals of vishing fraud include:

• Stealing money via wire transfers or payment changes.
• Gaining credentials to access systems.
• Extracting personal data for identity theft.

Think of it this way: if phishing is the “email scam,” then vishing is the phone call scam—just more personal, immediate, and often more dangerous. For further details, check out our blog on What is Vishing: Definition, Detection and Protection.

10 Modern and Classic Examples of Vishing Attacks

Voice phishing takes many forms, ranging from classic scams like fake bank or tax authority calls to modern attacks powered by AI deepfake voices and multi-channel fraud. Both styles rely on the same trick: using urgency and authority over the phone to pressure victims into revealing sensitive data or transferring money.

Understanding these modern and classic examples of vishing attacks is the first step to spotting them quickly and building strong defenses:

Example 1: Bank Fraud Calls

Attackers impersonate a bank’s fraud department, warning of “suspicious activity.” They pressure the victim to share PINs, MFA codes, or account details to secure the account.

How to Prevent It: Never provide sensitive details by phone. Hang up and call your bank using the official number.

Example 2: Government & Tax Authority Scams

Criminals pose as government agencies (IRS, HMRC, or local tax office), demanding immediate payment to avoid fines or legal trouble.

How to Prevent It: Authorities never demand urgent payment by phone. Verify claims using the official website or hotline.

Example 3: Tech Support Vishing

Attackers pose as IT support, claiming a device is infected or an account is compromised. They push for remote access software installation or credential disclosure.

How to Prevent It: Legitimate IT teams do not cold-call. Never install software from unsolicited calls.

Example 4: Prize & Reward Scams

A caller promises lottery winnings, gift cards, or sweepstakes prizes—but demands fees or account details to release them.

How to Prevent It: If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Real prizes don’t require payment.

Example 5: Fake Customer Service Hotlines

Victims search for customer support numbers online and unknowingly call fraudulent hotlines. The fake agents collect login credentials or payment info.

How to Prevent It: Only use contact details from official websites or saved contacts.

Example 6: AI Deepfake Voice Attacks

Using AI, attackers clone the voices of executives, managers, or relatives, demanding urgent fund transfers or sensitive data.

How to Prevent It: No financial approval via voice alone. Require dual verification (callback + written confirmation).

Example 7: Robocall Vishing Scams

Automated robocalls claim to be from banks, telecom providers, or government bodies. Victims are asked to “press 1” and then provide details.

How to Prevent It: Use call-blocking tools to filter robocalls. Hang up and verify directly with the provider.

Example 8: Internal Business Impersonation (CEO Fraud)

Criminals impersonate CEOs, CFOs, or managers, ordering employees to transfer funds or change payroll info.

How to Prevent It: Enforce dual approvals for financial requests and clear no-phone transaction policies.

Example 9: E-Commerce Refund Scams

Attackers impersonate online retailers or couriers (e.g., “refund department”), tricking victims into “confirming” payment details for fake refunds.

How to Prevent It: Always confirm refund status via the official app or website—not through unsolicited calls.

Example 10: Multi-Channel Vishing Attacks

Scammers combine phishing emails + follow-up phone calls. The email primes the victim, while the call “verifies” the request, making the scam feel more authentic.

How to Prevent It: Train staff to recognize cross-channel manipulation. Policies should mandate callback verification before any action.

How to Protect Yourself from Vishing Attacks

Whether you’re facing classic bank scams or modern AI-powered vishing attacks, these rules apply:

• Don’t trust caller ID—it can be spoofed.
• Never share passwords, MFA codes, or financial details by phone.
• Hang up and call back using official numbers.
• Use anti-vishing tools and call-blocking apps.
• Report suspicious calls to your IT/security team or national fraud hotlines.

The Role of User Education

Education is a cornerstone of vishing prevention. Regular training helps employees stay alert to evolving attack methods.

Running Vishing Simulations

Vishing Simulations provide practical, hands-on experience in identifying and handling vishing attempts. These exercises reveal potential vulnerabilities and strengthen organizational defenses.

Effectively combating vishing requires a combination of awareness, technology, and proactive measures. Organizations must focus on educating employees, implementing robust verification processes, and using tools to monitor and prevent suspicious activities. By staying informed about evolving tactics, businesses can build resilience against vishing threats and reduce human risk factors.

VoIP phone system is a cost-effective communication tool that offers flexibility and advanced features like call routing. However, it also provides anonymity for attackers, enabling them to mask their identities and spoof numbers. This makes fraudulent calls harder to trace and increases the risk of exploitation.

Use tools or apps that detect and block spoofed numbers to reduce exposure to fraudulent calls. For instance, using a reliable call center software not only streamlines communication but also acts as a frontline defense against vishing attacks by verifying callers, detecting spoofed numbers, enabling real-time monitoring, and reinforcing employee training through integrated simulations.

Consider using a multi-level auto attendant system for small businesses to help screen and direct calls effectively, reducing the risk of fraudulent or unwanted calls reaching your team.

Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform

Preventing vishing requires a layered approach, combining employee education, strict communication protocols, and the right tools. Solutions like the Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform offer comprehensive support to identify, mitigate, and respond to vishing attempts effectively.

This platform provides a centralized hub for monitoring human risk factors, empowering organizations to track vulnerabilities and implement targeted security awarenes training. Tools such as the Keepnet Phishing Simulator and Vishing Simulation help employees build practical, hands-on skills to recognize and stop vishing attempts.

By integrating these solutions into your cybersecurity strategy, you can bolster organizational resilience, reduce risks, and create a culture of vigilance against social engineering attacks.

Conclusion

These 10 examples of vishing prove how attackers exploit both old tricks (bank and tax scams) and modern tactics (AI voices, multi-channel attacks). The best defense is a mix of awareness, clear policies, and regular vishing simulations.

Ready to see how your team would handle a real vishing attempt?

Book a demo of Keepnet’s Vishing Simulator and Security Awareness Training to build resilience against today’s most dangerous phone-based attacks.

Editor’s Note: This blog post was updated on September 8th, 2025.