Phishing attacks

A change of approach for phishing for bank account details

Identity theft via Phone phishing alongside phishing emails being sent out, attempts are being made to get your personal details by telephoning you (termed Vhishing).

Callers phone up members of the public engaging them in conversation asking them to confirm details or pretending to sell them a product in an effort to gain personal details such as names, addresses, dates of birth and bank account details.

Two such techniques are detailed below.

Recent attempts have the caller pretending they were from the local Primary Care Trust calling about requests for Emergency Services.

The caller states that a call has been made for an emergency doctor and they are returning the call to arrange an appointment. The caller then asks a number of questions in an attempt to get the correct name, address, date of birth and telephone number. Mail Order accounts have then been set up in their names.

Other methods have callers pretending to be major companies, such as Argos promoting new deals on financial products such as accident cover. The caller then asks for birth details, marriage and family details and bank account details.

Advice…

Be aware when asked to give out personal details to unsolicited phone calls.

If unsure, telephone the company using numbers provided by a phone directory or service