2023-09-26 18:49:49
It just happened in the newsroom. A colleague has been called on the phone and, without exaggeration, she has used the word ‘yes’ more than a dozen times. From the first greeting to the rest of the moments of the conversation. Is there a problem in using this language? Not until now. But the problem is that criminals are increasingly using more sophisticated stratagems. What is the last? The yes scam.
What does it consist of? The so-called ‘yes scam’ is based on getting those who receive the call to pronounce the affirmative monosyllable ‘yes’ in response to some questions. Thus, scammers could record it and later use it in fraudulent activities by impersonating your identity.
That is, we are talking about a type of ‘phishing’ called ‘vishing’. In other words, a type of social engineering scam over the phone in which, through a call, the identity of a company, organization or trusted person is impersonated, in order to obtain personal and sensitive information from the victim.
As there is everything in a pharmacy, there will be people who never take calls from strangers. But there are others who do. Because they are more trusting or because they were just expecting a call from the bank, insurance or any other contracted product. How do criminals operate?
‘Mode of operation’
In some cases, scammers simply have their victims ask ‘yes?’ when you pick up the phone. In this way, a conversation is not established between the two, since they have obtained the answer they are looking for, although with a questioning intonation. In both cases, the same thing is sought: that the person who picks up the phone says ‘yes’. However, the risk of being scammed does not occur in all calls, but in those from unknown people who impersonate companies or banking entities.
Utilities
They can use your voice to sign up for a banking service or take a survey on your behalf.
Having recorded this confirmation from their victims, scammers will seek to use it for malicious purposes. Various sources consulted indicate that they may try to use it to register for a banking service on behalf of the victim or carry out a survey on their behalf, for example. In addition, the organization contemplates the possibility that – following the yes scam – they call a financial or service entity, provide data obtained in the conversation and use this recording as confirmation of identity.
What advice can be given to avoid these types of scams? Well, as they say, being prudent to start. Distrusting calls from strangers. Avoiding giving personal data to someone we don’t know. Changing your passwords, canceling subscriptions and blocking your bank card if necessary. In addition, there are two organizations that can help you if you find yourself involved in a case of these characteristics: the Municipal Consumer Information Office and the National Cybersecurity Institute.
This scam is revealed at a time when the latest technological revolution, artificial intelligence, is behind horrifying cases such as that of Almendralejo, where the National Police has already identified 10 minors between 12 and 14 years old for the case of leaks of false nude images of other minors.
As they said in ‘Hill Street Blues’, be careful out there. Be cautious. Do not give personal information. And, just in case, from now on respond with ‘tell me’. By the way, our colleague can breathe a sigh of relief. Her call was about work.
#pocket #Vishing #scam #careful #picking #phone