🔒 Phone fraud, also known as vishing, occurs when individuals impersonate bank or credit card representatives to deceive victims into divulging sensitive information. Here are practical steps to prevent falling prey to such scams:
1. 🚫 Avoid sharing personal details like CVV numbers, OTPs, PINs, and passwords over the phone, even if the caller seems legitimate.
2. 📞 Verify the caller's credentials and the purpose of the call, regardless of the displayed phone number.
3. ☎️ Refrain from disclosing non-confidential information and contact the official customer service number directly for any concerns.
4. 🛡️ Keep personal information private, especially on social media platforms, to prevent unauthorized access.
5. 💻 Avoid using public computers at cyber cafes for sensitive transactions.
6. 🔐 Set up a unique password for online transactions on your debit/credit card.
7. 📧 Delete any received OTPs immediately after use and change passwords promptly.
8. 🕵️‍♂️ Conduct background checks on vendors or service providers before sharing credit card or bank account details to prevent misuse.
By following these steps, individuals can safeguard themselves against falling victim to phone fraud schemes.