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What is vishing? Voice phishing explained
Vishing, short for voice phishing, is a scam carried out by phone call or voicemail to trick you into sharing information or sending money. AI voice cloning is one newer form of it. The defence is the same: hang up and call back on a number you trust.
Do this now
- Hang up on any unexpected call asking for money or details.
- Call back on a number you find yourself.
- Never share codes, PINs or passwords with a caller.
Vishing in plain words
Phishing is the general name for tricking people into giving away money or information by pretending to be someone trustworthy. Vishing is the phone version. Phone calls are one of the most common ways scammers reach people, second only to email in US reports (FTC, 2025).
Vishing, phishing and smishing
| Name | How it reaches you | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing | "Your account is locked. Click here to log in." | |
| Smishing | Text message | "Your parcel is held. Pay the fee at this link." |
| Vishing | Phone call or voicemail | "This is your bank's fraud team. We need to verify a code." |
Common types of vishing
- Bank impersonation calls
- Calls impersonating officials
- The grandparent scam and family emergency scams
- CEO voice fraud at work
- AI voice cloning scams, which use a copied voice
How a vishing call works
- A trusted identity. A bank, an agency, a company or a relative.
- A problem. Fraud on your account, a debt, an emergency.
- A request. A code, a password, a payment or remote access.
- Pressure. It must happen now, and you must not hang up.
Warning signs
- You did not expect the call.
- You are asked for a code, PIN or password. No real organisation needs these from you on a call.
- You are told not to hang up or not to tell anyone.
- The payment method is unusual. Gift cards, crypto, wire or cash.
How to protect yourself
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail.
- Hang up and call back on a number you find yourself.
- Agree a family safe word for emergency calls.
- Report vishing calls. See how to report a scam call.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, press release: "New FTC data show a big jump in reported losses to fraud to $12.5 billion in 2024". Published March 2025. Checked 23 October 2026.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, public service announcement: "Criminals use generative artificial intelligence to facilitate financial fraud". Published 3 December 2024. Checked 23 October 2026.
Common questions
Is vishing the same as a robocall?
Not exactly. A robocall is any automated call. Some robocalls are vishing, but vishing can also be a live person.
Is AI voice cloning a type of vishing?
Yes. It is vishing that uses a copied voice to make the call more convincing.
Can vishing happen by voicemail?
Yes. A voicemail may ask you to call a number back. Use a number you find yourself instead.
How do I report vishing?
Report it to your national fraud service. See how to report a scam call.
