Types of scams
Vishing: fake phone calls
Practical guide to a call from a supposed bank, police officer, or authority. Warning signs, safer response, example, and sources.
The most important rule
Do not judge credibility only by a logo, caller ID, polished language, or the HTTPS padlock. Stop the pressure first, then use an official channel you find independently.
Warning signs
- the contact is unexpected
- urgency is created
- normal procedure is bypassed
- someone asks for data, a code, installation, or payment
What to do step by step
- Do not act during the current contact.
- Preserve the message, URL, number, or receipt as evidence.
- Open the official app or find the number independently.
- Verify without revealing codes or passwords.
- If loss occurred, start the after-scam action plan immediately.
Example scenario
Example: a user encounters a call from a supposed bank, police officer, or authority. The person or page pushes for immediate action and tries to bypass the normal channel. The safer response is to stop and verify independently.
Limitations
One signal does not prove fraud, and the absence of common signs does not guarantee safety. Methods change, so always check current official guidance.
Sources and review
Reviewed: 2026-07-21