Vishing

Vishing is voice phishing: a phone call where the caller pretends to be a bank, police or support agent to get your OTP, PIN or money.

Vishing: Vishing is phishing done by phone call. The caller pretends to be from a bank, a courier, a telecom company, the police or tech support. Using a confident voice and a made-up problem, they try to get you to share an OTP, install an app or send money.

Typical Indian vishing calls say your debit card is blocked, your SIM will be cut off, a parcel with illegal items is held in your name, or a family member is in trouble. The caller may stay on the line for a long time, guiding you step by step so that you cannot stop and think. Some then ask you to install a screen-sharing app.

Real banks and police never ask for your OTP, PIN or CVV on a call, and nobody keeps you under a video call as an arrest. If someone pushes you, cut the call. Then contact the bank using the number on your card or the official app. If money is lost, call 1930 straight away. Remember that a calm, polite caller is not proof of honesty; scammers practise scripts and often sound exactly like a helpful bank officer.

Tips

• Hang up on any caller who asks for an OTP, PIN or CVV, however official they sound.
• Call back only on the number printed on your card, passbook or official app, never the one the caller gives.
• Never install a screen-sharing app because a caller asks you to.

Related terms