What is Vishing: Definition, Detection and Protection

Vishing (voice phishing) is a type of social engineering attack where scammers use phone calls to trick people into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, bank details, or business secrets. These attackers often pretend to be trusted individuals, like customer support agents, bank representatives, or IT staff, to gain the victim’s trust and manipulate them into sharing confidential data.

Unlike traditional phishing, which happens via email or text, vishing fraud relies on voice communication to deceive targets. Instead of a malicious link, the attacker wields a convincing voice on the phone, often backed by spoofed caller-ID and a few nuggets of open-source intelligence.

The numbers from Keepnet’s 2024 Vishing Response Report show why this matters: 70% of organizations handed over sensitive information when confronted with a fake call during simulations, and the average global price-tag for a successful voice-phishing incident now tops US $14 million.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reports vishing scams caused losses of over $48 million. That’s a lot of people getting scammed through phone calls!

In this blog, you’ll discover exactly what vishing is, learn to spot it in seconds, and grab the iron-clad tactics that keep your organization out of tomorrow’s breach headlines.

What is Vishing (Voice Phishing) in Cybersecurity?

Vishing, short for voice phishing, is a type of cyberattack where criminals use phone calls or voice messages to trick people into giving away sensitive information. The vishing meaning is closely tied to traditional phishing, but instead of fake emails or texts, attackers rely on social engineering over the phone. A typical vishing attack might involve someone pretending to be a bank representative, IT help desk, or government official, trying to pressure the victim into sharing passwords, financial details, or personal data. If you’ve ever wondered what is vishing in cybersecurity, think of it as a modern twist on phone fraud that leverages urgency and authority to manipulate people.

Cybercriminals may spoof caller IDs to make their attempts look legitimate, leading to confusion about the phishing call meaning. To avoid falling victim, it’s key to recognize common red flags like unexpected calls demanding immediate action, requests for confidential details, or too-good-to-be-true offers. By learning how to identify vishing, individuals and organizations can strengthen defenses and know how to prevent vishing attacks before sensitive data is exposed.

What is the Definition of Vishing?

For a deeper dive into the world of vishing—how telephone scams work, why phone scams are effective, and how to stay protected—check out the Keepnet podcast series. You’ll hear real-life stories, expert insights, and practical tips to help you recognize and defend against phone-based scams.

Now, here’s our vishing definition: Vishing, or voice phishing, is a sneaky scam where hackers use phone calls to trick people into handing over personal or financial information. It’s phishing with a more personal touch—using real-time voice communication instead of the usual email or text tricks. These attackers love posing as bank reps, IT support, or government officials, hoping to catch you off guard.

The vishing meaning lies in this deceptive approach: exploiting the trust people place in voice interactions to steal sensitive data. With significant financial, operational, and reputational consequences, vishing isn’t just annoying—it’s downright dangerous. So, if a "trusted entity" calls asking for sensitive info, maybe it’s time to let your voicemail play defense.

What is the Purpose of Vishing Attempts?

The purpose of vishing attempts can be broken down into key objectives. Here's what scammers are after:

Table 1: Purpose of vishing attempts

What is the Difference Between Phishing, Vishing, and Smishing?

Phishing tricks you with fake emails, vishing uses phone calls, and smishing sends scam texts. All these attack types aim to steal your data. Let's explore the differences between phishing, vishing, and smishing, shedding light on how each social engineering attack method operates and their unique characteristics. Check out our guide to dive deeper into the Vishing vs. Phishing vs. Smishing Guide.

How Does Vishing Happen?

“Vishing starts long before the phone ever rings,” says Onur Kolay, Product Manager at Keepnet Labs. “Attackers scrape LinkedIn, support forums, even old press releases to learn just enough about a company’s tools, slang, and pain points. Then they spoof a familiar extension, dial in with a calm, confident voice, and build trust in the first thirty seconds. Once the target relaxes, the caller cranks up the pressure—‘Confirm your MFA code or payroll stalls’—or dangles an irresistible perk like ‘Grab these free PlayStation game codes before they’re gone.’”

As the definition of vishing suggests, it happens when scammers use phone calls to trick people into giving away their personal information. Pretending to be from a trusted organization, they might tell you there's a problem with your account, offer you a reward that doesn't exist, or say they're doing a survey.

These calls often show up with fake numbers that look real, making the scam seem legit. If you think you're talking to someone you can trust, you might end up sharing details that could lead to losing money or stealing your identity.

Here's a quick look at how an example vishing attack happens:

• The Initial Contact: You get a call. The number looks official, maybe even one you recognize.
• The Setup: The person on the line sounds professional. They say they're from your bank, a tech company, or any organization you might trust. They've got news or an offer.
• The Ask: Here's where they want something from you. Maybe it's your account details, your social security number, or a password. Sometimes, they'll ask you to transfer money directly.
• The Pressure: They're probably in a hurry. They want you to act fast. This pressure is a key part of the scam, making you less likely to think things through.

What are Common Vishing Methods?

Vishing attacks have various methods to trick individuals into sharing personal and financial information. Each technique is designed to exploit different vulnerabilities, ranging from technological gaps to human psychology.

Here's a closer look at some of the most common vishing methods:

• Deepfakes: This method uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to clone a person's voice, creating audio that sounds like someone you know and trust. Attackers can mimic the voices of CEOs or family members to convince you to transfer money or share sensitive data.
• Robocalls: These are automated calls that deliver pre-recorded messages. Scammers use robocalls to reach a large audience quickly, often pretending to be from government agencies or legal departments to scare victims into complying with their requests.
• Tech Support Call: Here, the scammer pretends to be a tech support agent from a well-known company, claiming to have detected an issue with your computer or account. They aim to gain remote access to your device or convince you to provide personal information under the guise of fixing a non-existent problem.
• Client Call: In these scams, attackers pretend to be potential clients or partners of your business. They may request sensitive company information or direct payments, exploiting professional trust and courtesy.
• VoIP Vishing: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows scammers to make calls over the internet, often from international locations, while displaying a local or trusted number on the caller ID. This method makes it difficult to trace the call back to the scammer.
• Caller ID Spoofing: Similar to VoIP vishing, caller ID spoofing involves changing the caller ID to a familiar or trustworthy number. This tricks victims into answering the call and trusting the caller.
• Dumpster Diving: Though not exclusively a vishing technique, dumpster diving involves searching through a person's or company's trash to find documents with personal information. Scammers can use this information to be more convincing and targeted vishing attacks.

What are the Signs of Vishing Attacks?

The main signs of vishing attacks include unexpected phone calls from unknown or spoofed numbers, urgent requests to act quickly, and demands for sensitive details like passwords or banking information. Attackers often create a sense of fear or authority, making the victim feel pressured to comply.

Knowing the signs of a vishing attack can help you avoid falling for one. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Unexpected Calls: If you get a call out of nowhere from someone claiming to be from your bank, a government agency, or any service provider, be wary. Especially if they're asking for personal or financial info.
• Urgency: The caller presses you to act fast. They might say your account will be closed or you'll face legal action if you don't respond immediately.
• Request for Personal Information: Be suspicious if the caller asks for sensitive details like your password, PIN, or bank account numbers.
• Quality of the Call: Sometimes, vishing calls might have poor call quality or sound like they're coming from a long distance, despite claiming to be from a local number.
• Spoofed Caller ID: The caller ID might look legitimate, but scammers have ways to fake these. Just because it looks real doesn't mean it is.

What are Vishing Trends in 2025?

Scammers takes their craft to a whole new level, leveraging advanced AI to sound as convincing as your best friend. Gone are the days of awkward robotic voices—you know, the kind that made you roll your eyes before hanging up.

Today’s vishing scammers have charm, style, and an alarming amount of sophistication. Don’t just take our word for it—this is backed by groundbreaking research published in September 2024 by Lisbon University. The study explores how vishing tactics have evolved and their alarming success in exploiting human vulnerability.

AI-Powered Vishing Bots: Smooth Operators

The AI bots of 2025 are not just smarter; they’re scarily human-like. These aren’t your old-school robocalls. Lisbon University researchers found:

• Uncanny Realism: These bots sound like real people, complete with emotion, accents, and even fake empathy. By studying thousands of human conversations, scammers have programmed bots that are eerily convincing.
• Dirt-Cheap Scams: Each bot-driven call costs a fraction of a penny, but the payout for scammers can be enormous. With low costs, scammers are now able to target thousands daily.
• Shockingly Convincing: According to Lisbon University's study, 52% of test subjects thought they were speaking with a real person. Imagine accidentally pouring your life story—or worse, sensitive data—to a bot that feels like your long-lost pal.

Humans vs. Bots: Who’s Winning?

If you think you can easily outsmart these bots, think again. The Lisbon University study uncovered some pretty unsettling truths about how unprepared most people are:

• Default Trust: Many people instinctively trust polite, professional-sounding callers. AI bots exploit this to extract information with alarming success.
• Training Helps Big Time: Those who had undergone vishing awareness training were way less likely to fall for scams. The study showed training slashed scam success rates from 77% to 33%.
• Flying Blind is Risky: Without training or awareness, individuals are nearly twice as likely to give away sensitive information. It’s like walking into a scammer’s trap blindfolded.

What We Can Learn from this Vishing Research

Not all hope is lost! Researchers at Lisbon University didn’t just analyze scams—they also identified ways to fight back:

• Realistic Simulations: Businesses are using vishing simulations to teach employees how to spot scams. Think of it as a controlled test that strengthens your defenses.
• AI as a Hero: Companies are deploying AI tools to detect and block scam calls before they even hit your phone. It’s a bot-on-bot battle, and thankfully, the good bots are winning.
• Public Awareness Matters: The research emphasizes the need for broader education. Simple steps, like verifying the identity of callers and hesitating before sharing sensitive information, can significantly reduce the success of scams.

How to Prevent Vishing Attacks?

Staying safe from vishing attacks requires caution, knowledge, and taking the right steps. Here’s how to prevent vishing fraud:

• Verify the Caller: If you're unsure about a caller's identity, hang up. Then, contact the organization directly using a number you trust, like one from their official website.
• Don't Share Personal Info: Never give out personal or financial information over the phone unless you're sure of the caller's identity.
• Use Call-Blocking Services: Many phone companies offer services to block unknown or suspicious numbers. Taking advantage of these can reduce the number of vishing calls you receive.
• Stay Informed: Knowing the latest vishing tactics and scams can help you recognize a potential attack before it's too late.
• Report Suspicious Calls: If you think you've received a vishing call, report it to the appropriate authorities. This can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.

By keeping these signs and prevention tips in mind, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to vishing fraud. Read our blog to learn more about preventing vishing attacks using eight strategies.

How to Detect Vishing in Real Time

Spotting vishing (voice phishing) during a live call is a learned skill. Even when the caller sounds credible, a few practical checks will help you tell safe from suspicious. If you’ve ever wondered “what is vishing in practice—how do I catch it while it’s happening?” this is your quick field guide.

Behavioral red flags (human cues)

• Urgency with consequences: “Act now or your account will be frozen.” Urgency shuts down rational thinking—that’s a classic vishing scam pattern.
• Authority play: The caller name-drops titles (“I’m from the fraud team / IT security / the CEO’s office”) to override hesitation.
• Secrecy requests: “Don’t tell anyone, this is confidential.” Real teams don’t ask for secrecy to bypass controls.
• Over-familiar tone: An overly friendly or flattering style can be engineered to lower your guard and reshape your decisions.

Content red flags (what they ask)

• Credentials or MFA codes: No legitimate bank or IT desk asks for passwords, one-time passcodes, or recovery phrases on a live call.
• Unverified payment instructions: Any surprise request to move money or change beneficiary details must be verified on a separate, trusted channel.
• Remote access and “quick fixes.” Pushy requests to install tools or share screens are common in vishing fraud.

Technical red flags (signal and metadata)

• Caller ID spoofing: A familiar number doesn’t prove identity. Attackers can mask origins to look local or official.
• Call-hand off tricks: Being transferred between “departments” can be a staged performance to increase credibility.
• Audio tells: Sudden changes in timbre, latency, or robotic artifacts can hint at deepfake voice synthesis—especially when paired with urgency.

Live defenses you can use in seconds

• Break the script: Ask questions they should know but attackers won’t—internal ticket number, last verified interaction, a pre-agreed passphrase.
• Channel pivot: Hang up and call back via a number you trust (from your card, portal, or directory). If it’s real, they won’t mind.
• Two-step verification policy: At work, enforce a rule: no actions on voice alone. Require an out-of-band confirmation (email from a known domain, ticketing system, or manager approval).
• Report while it’s fresh: The moment you suspect vishing, report it through your incident workflow so others aren’t targeted next.

Vishing awareness training matters: Teams that rehearse these moments recognize the signs of vishing faster. Keepnet’s Vishing Simulator lets people hear the tricks, practice refusals, and build the habit to verify before acting—essential to prevent vishing attacks.

The Cost of Vishing Attacks (Why It Hurts More Than You Think)

Understanding the vishing meaning isn’t enough—leaders need to grasp its total cost. A single successful voice phishing incident can ripple far beyond the initial loss.

Direct financial losses

• Fraudulent payments or transfers: Wire fraud and invoice redirection are common outcomes of vishing scams that exploit urgency and authority.
• Incident response and recovery: Forensic work, legal counsel, and overtime quickly add up—even when no funds leave the company.

Operational disruption

• Account resets and containment: Password resets, device re-imaging, and access reviews drain already tight IT resources.
• Downtime and delays: Locked workflows (payroll, procurement, customer support) create backlogs that impact revenue and SLAs.

Regulatory and legal exposure

• Data protection penalties: If vishing leads to unauthorized access to personal data (e.g., under GDPR or HIPAA), organizations face reporting obligations and potential fines.
• Contractual breaches: Third-party data mishandling or missed security clauses can trigger penalties or customer churn.

Reputation and trust

• Customer confidence: Even if losses are recovered, trust takes longer. Public incidents reduce win rates and lengthen sales cycles.
• Employee morale: Teams feel exposed after a successful vishing attack, which can affect retention and productivity.

Hidden, compounding costs

• Insurance implications: Premiums may rise after claims related to vishing fraud or social engineering coverage.
• Security debt: Emergency controls deployed during a crisis often need months of follow-up work to integrate properly.

The true cost of vishing is the combination of money, momentum, and morale. That’s why prevention—via policies, security awareness training, and realistic vishing simulation—delivers the highest ROI.

Why Human Risk Management Is the Ultimate Defense Against Vishing

Firewalls don’t answer phones—people do. That’s why Human Risk Management (HRM) is central to stopping vishing. Instead of relying only on tools, HRM measures, reduces, and continuously trains the human layer where voice phishing actually succeeds.

From awareness to behavior change

Traditional awareness campaigns inform. Human Risk Management transforms behavior. The goal isn’t to memorize tips; it’s to build reflexes: pause, verify, report. Repetition via Vishing Simulator drills and microlearning cements habits that block vishing scams in real conversations.

Risk visibility you can act on:

• Individual risk scoring: Identify teams and roles with higher exposure (finance, support desks, privileged admins).
• Targeted coaching: Deliver focused security awareness training to the riskiest workflows—payment approvals, password resets, supplier changes.
• Policy adherence tracking: Measure whether staff follow the “no voice-only approvals” rule and escalate gaps to managers.

Controls that fit how people actually work

• Two-channel verification: Mandate an out-of-band check (ticket + callback, or email + manager sign-off) for any sensitive action.
• Pre-agreed passphrases: Use shared secrets for help desk and vendor calls; rotate them regularly.
• Least-privilege voice workflows: Reduce who can approve payments or reset MFA via phone; require second approvers for high-risk actions.

AI-era resilience

• Deepfake-aware training: Let employees hear examples of deepfake voice patterns, learn to “slow the call,” and escalate suspicions without fear.
• Caller ID skepticism by design: Teach that caller ID spoofing is expected, not exceptional—identity is what you verify, not what you see.
• Real-time support: Encourage employees to conference in the help desk or security during questionable calls instead of navigating alone.

Why Keepnet

Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Platform brings these elements together:

• Vishing Simulator to rehearse high-risk moments and lower failure rates.
• Security Awareness Training tailored to vishing meaning, signs of vishing, and policy guardrails.
• Reporting & analytics to quantify risk reduction and prove compliance.
• Playbooks that standardize verification protocols across IT, finance, and support.

The shortest path to prevent vishing attacks is to make verification the default, not the exception—and to practice it until it’s instinct. HRM operationalizes that across your whole organization.

Please read Teknosa's fight and how they prevented vishing attacks here.

Editor's Note: This article was updated on September 8, 2025.