Consumer Watch: A Vishing Scam Warning

By Amanda Taylor, NEWS 9 Consumer Watch Team

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The word "Vishing" probably isn't part of your vernacular, but it should be. It's a term that scammers are using to try and wipe out bank accounts.

Scam artists have looked to the Web, posing as someone else and tried to "phish" information out of people, like bank account numbers.

But now those scammers are using a new technique called vishing. The term comes by mixing the words voice with phishing. Like phishing, the scammers are still trying to get information, but this time they're calling their victims.

If they happen to call you, they'll more than likely be posing as someone from your bank.

"What they'll say is ‘Your card has been breached and you need to call this number.' It's immediate, it's urgent, it's so important, that you have to call back," said Elaine Dodd with the Oklahoma Bankers Association.

Dodd said that urgency catches many people off guard.

"When you call they say ‘Input your info,' like a credit card number. Once you input that, the bad guys have it. And they'll tell you something official, like ‘Oh it's OK, we know now you're alright.' And make you feel OK," Dodd said.

Dodd said this scam started in the Oklahoma panhandle and has since spread across the state. In fact, she hears of a new victim nearly every week.

But you can avoid the vishing scam.

"It's just knowing that your bank will never ever call you and say, or your credit card company will call and say give us your account number. That is not happening," Dodd said.

She also said the scammers are using the same technique and texting the information. But again, your bank will never ask for your account number over a text, a call, or an e-mail.