You may be familiar with phishing schemes, but cybercriminals are getting craftier. A technique called "Hybrid Vishing" is on the rise. It combines email (or text) with phone calls to trick you into giving up personal information. Here's how it works: You receive an email (or text) that looks like it's from a real company (like your bank or a popular store). It might be about an invoice, a payment confirmation, or even a prize you won! The email will have a phone number instead of a link. These emails often steal logos and make the sender name look legitimate. If you call the number to fix a problem or claim your prize, that's exactly what the scammer wants. They'll pressure you to act fast and may sound very convincing. Before you know it, you may reveal your personal details or credit card information.
The scams are effective because they create a sense of urgency. Who wouldn't be worried about a problem with their bank account? Cybercriminals know this and use it to their advantage.The key takeaway remains that one cannot be too cautious when confronted with any unexpected emails or texts, even if they seem to come from a trusted source. Don't call phone numbers listed in emails or text messages – instead, look up the company's real contact information on their website. By staying vigilant, you can protect yourself from these sneaky scams.
How to Spot a Scam and What to Do
Phishing scams are getting smarter, but you can be smarter too! Here's how to avoid these sneaky attempts to steal your information:
Red Flags
Urgency - Scammers love deadlines. Don't be pressured into acting fast, especially if the message is unexpected.
Unfamiliar Numbers - Don't trust phone numbers in emails or texts. Look up the company's real contact information directly from their website.
Suspicious Sender - Check the email address carefully. Scammers often use addresses that look similar to legitimate ones.
Missing Website Contact - If the official company website doesn't list the contact number provided in the email, it's a red flag.
What NOT to Do
DON’T Click Links or Open Attachments - These could contain malware.
DON’T Reply to the Sender - This confirms your email address is active and makes you a target for future scams.
What to Do
Report It - Forward emails to ReportPhishing@apwg.org (helps track phishing attempts).
Report to Authorities - Consider reporting to the FBI's IC3 or your local authorities.
Report to Social Media Platform - If the scam happened on social media, report it to the platform.
Delete the Message - Once you've reported it, safely delete the message.
Bonus Tip
If you accidentally clicked a link or downloaded an attachment, run a full antivirus scan immediately.
An Easy Precaution to Take to Avoid Realty Scams
Buying a home should be exciting, not stressful. Unfortunately, real estate scams can put a damper on the process. Scammers often use sophisticated tactics to target unsuspecting victims. You want to protect your personal information, tax documents, and bank accounts. In order to do that, you, your realtor, your title agent, your lender, and any other parties involved in the transaction should use security encryption platforms to safeguard your data throughout the entire title process. This allows everyone to focus on what matters most: making your home buying experience smooth and worry-free without the additional worry about data security.
Ready to take the next step? Visit our information page for answers to frequently asked questions about title insurance. Call us at 800-732-3555 for a free consultation and discuss how we can help you secure the right title insurance for your new home.
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