What is vishing?

Vishing is phishing carried out over a voice call, often using a spoofed caller ID.

By AlertaSpam Security Team. Published August 7, 2026

Vishing calls often impersonate a bank's fraud department, tech support, or a government agency, and rely on creating pressure to get you to act — approve a transfer, read out a one-time code, or install remote-access software.

Caller ID can be spoofed to show a legitimate-looking number, so a familiar or local-looking number is not proof of who is calling. Legitimate organizations will not ask you to read out a one-time passcode or install remote-access software during an unsolicited call.

If a call pressures you to act immediately, hang up and call the organization back using a number you already trust — not one the caller gives you.