The Most Spoofed Brands Targeted in Vishing Attacks

In September 2024, 322 brands worldwide were targeted by phishing attacks, according to Statista. This underscores how cybercriminals exploit trusted brands to trick victims into sharing sensitive information or taking harmful actions.

Vishing, or voice phishing, builds on these tactics using real-time phone calls to impersonate well-known organizations. By leveraging the trust and credibility associated with these brands, attackers manipulate victims into acting without verifying the legitimacy of the request. This makes vishing one of the most effective and dangerous social engineering tactics today.

In this blog, we’ll uncover the most spoofed brands in vishing, examine the tactics used by attackers, and explore practical strategies for individuals and organizations to protect themselves.

The Rise of Vishing as a Cyber Threat

Vishing, or voice phishing, is a growing cyber threat where attackers impersonate trusted organizations over the phone to steal sensitive information such as passwords, financial data, or account details. Unlike phishing emails or smishing, vishing leverages real-time conversations, making it harder to detect and more convincing. To learn more about vishing and how to prevent it in details, read our blog on What is Vishing: Definition, Detection and Protection.

As Keepnet reported in 2024, vishing attacks have a 77% success rate, often resulting in stolen credentials and significant data breaches. With an average loss of $577 per attack and annual costs exceeding $14 million per business, vishing poses a severe risk to both individuals and organizations. Proactive measures, such as risk assessments and security awareness training, are critical to mitigating this growing threat.

Read our blogs on why vishing is a big cyber threat in 2025 and vishing statistics for more insights.

Why Cybercriminals Target Specific Brands: A Detailed Breakdown

Cybercriminals frequently target specific brands because of the trust and familiarity they inspire. These brands become prime targets for vishing attacks due to:

Table 1: Reasons Why Cybercriminals Target Specific Brands

Industries Most At Risk: Spoofed Brands in Voice Phishing Attacks

Cybercriminals are strategic in their choice of targets, often focusing on industries that handle sensitive data, engage in frequent customer interactions, or have high levels of trust with their clients. These industries provide fertile ground for scams, as attackers exploit the inherent vulnerabilities and the trust customers place in these brands.

Table 2: Industries Most Vulnerable to Brand Spoofing in Voice Phishing

The Most Spoofed Brands in Vishing Attacks

Vishing attackers often exploit well-known brands to gain the trust of their victims. Here’s how they manipulate some of the most commonly spoofed brands:

• PayPal: Fraudsters mimic PayPal’s customer service, citing “suspicious activity” and urging users to verify transactions. This often results in unauthorized access to accounts.
• Microsoft: Scammers claim to be from Microsoft’s technical support, warning of a “critical virus” on the victim’s device. They persuade users to grant remote access, enabling theft of sensitive data.
• Amazon: Fake delivery issues or notifications about unauthorized orders are common tactics. Victims are tricked into providing account credentials or payment details.
• Google: Attackers pose as Google support in password recovery scams, using urgency to extract login credentials or two-factor authentication codes.
• Apple: Scammers allege unauthorized iCloud access or unusual account activity, pressuring users to share login details or pay for unnecessary services.
• Banks and telecom providers: Institutions like HSBC or Verizon are spoofed with alarming fraud alerts, pushing victims to reveal account details or PINs under the guise of protecting their accounts.

Watch the video below, which details a real-life story of someone who fell victim to a vishing attack involving scammers impersonating Amazon.

These brands are targeted not only because of their popularity but also because they inspire trust and are part of everyday interactions. Cybercriminals craft schemes to exploit this trust, making their attacks more convincing and effective.

Discover effective ways to protect yourself from vishing attacks, and also read our blog on the Top 5 Most Spoofed Brands in 2024 for more insights.

How Cybercriminals Mimic Trusted Brands

Cybercriminals use advanced techniques to impersonate trusted brands and deceive their victims. Their methods include:

• Caller ID Spoofing: Attackers manipulate phone numbers to display as legitimate, such as those of banks or customer service lines, to gain trust instantly. Explore our blog for an in-depth explanation of how AI voice cloning and caller ID spoofing operate.

• Social Engineering: Scammers exploit emotions like fear or urgency with threats like “Your account will be suspended unless you act now,” prompting quick, unverified actions. Check out our blog to learn what social engineering is and how to prevent it.

• Authentic-Sounding Scripts: Fraudsters replicate the tone, language, and processes of genuine customer service teams, making their interactions seem credible.

By combining these tactics, attackers manipulate victims into bypassing critical thinking and responding impulsively, often without verifying the call's authenticity.

Consequences of Brand Spoofing in Vishing Attacks

Brand spoofing in vishing attacks has serious consequences for victims and organizations, causing loss of trust, money, and reputation.

For Victims

• Financial Losses: In 2023, vishing scams stole $1.2 billion, affecting 68.4 million Americans.
• High Success Rate: 77% of vishing attacks succeed, leading to stolen money, credentials, and personal data.
• Emotional Impact: Victims often feel stress fear, and lose trust in the brands they thought were safe.

For Organizations

• Reputation Damage: Spoofed brands lose customer trust, even when they are not directly responsible for the scam.
• Legal Risks: Data breaches tied to vishing can lead to fines and other legal problems.
• Extra Costs: Companies have to spend more on customer support, PR, and improving security to recover from attacks.

With vishing incidents rising by 30% every year, these scams are becoming more common and harder to ignore. Both individuals and businesses must act to protect themselves.

How to Protect Against Vishing Attacks

Both individuals and organizations can take targeted steps to defend against vishing attacks and minimize their impact.

For Organizations

To combat vishing, organizations must focus on training employees to detect and handle these attacks while deploying the right tools. These steps can help reduce risk and improve security:

• Provide Security Awareness Training: Educate employees on how to recognize and handle vishing attempts effectively.
• Deploy Voice Phishing Simulators: Use realistic scenarios to test employees’ ability to identify vishing threats.
• Use Incident Response Tools: Respond quickly to minimize the impact of successful vishing attacks and protect sensitive data. Discover Keepnet Incident Responder.

For Individuals

Defending yourself against vishing starts with being aware of the specific tricks scammers use. The following actions can help you avoid falling victim:

• Verify Caller Identity: Always contact the organization directly using its official number, even if the caller claims urgency.
• Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information: Legitimate companies won’t ask for personal data, like passwords or financial details, over the phone.
• Recognize Warning Signs: Be wary of unsolicited calls, urgent threats, or requests for sensitive information—they’re often tactics used by scammers.

By focusing on these specific actions, individuals and organizations can significantly reduce their vulnerability to vishing attacks.

Minimize Vishing Risks with Keepnet Human Risk Management

Keepnet offers vishing simulation and security awareness training to help organizations prevent, detect, and respond to vishing attacks effectively:

Vishing Simulator

Simulate real-world vishing scenarios to train employees in recognizing and responding to these attacks.

With Keepnet Vishing Campaign Manager, you can easily create and manage vishing simulation campaigns:

1. Create Campaign: Name it, set a schedule, and select target users.

2. Choose Template: Pick a vishing template and preview it.

3. Set Calls: Define sender number and call distribution times.

4. Launch: Review the summary and start the campaign.

For more details, watch the video tutorial below and read the Keepnet blog on how to create vishing simulations.

Security Awareness Training

Equip your team with Keepnet security awareness training designed to improve awareness and reduce the risk of falling for vishing scams.

The Training Library allows you to:

• Review available training content.
• Launch, edit, or create training materials.
• Filter and sort materials by type, category, audience, and more.

See the example of a training course below.

Key Features:

• Content Types: SCORM, posters, screensavers, infographics, and learning paths.
• Filters: Search by behavior, type, category, language, or target audience.
• Categories: View All Materials, Most Popular, Favorites, or Created by You.
• Actions: Preview, download, send, duplicate, or delete items.

Moreover, the Keepnet localization feature tailors cybersecurity training to diverse needs with three key components: Timezone Adaptation ensures training is delivered at optimal local times for better engagement. Multi-Language Support allows employees to complete training in their preferred language, enhancing comprehension. Multi-Organization Delivery streamlines training across subsidiaries, saving time and costs while maintaining consistency. This ensures inclusive, efficient, and impactful cybersecurity education globally.

Furthermore, Keepnet enhances security awareness training with three powerful features: a Training Marketplace offering over 2,100 materials in 36+ languages to address diverse needs, Nudges for Retention using engaging visuals like posters and screensavers to reinforce key practices, and a Behavior-Based Learning Experience that personalizes training paths based on individual behaviors, boosting engagement and retention.

These features ensure comprehensive, targeted, and effective training for employees across all organizations.

Easily manage training materials and customize content to suit your organization's needs.

For more details, read our documentation on Keepnet Awareness Educator, Training Library, and watch the tutorial video with their detailed overview.

Explore our Human Risk Management Platform to discover how these tools can enhance your organization’s defenses and foster a more security-conscious workforce.