Have you ever received a call from someone claiming to be from your bank, the police, or a delivery company, urgently asking for your personal details? If so, you may have been targeted by a vishing scam. In this post, we’ll break down what vishing is, why scammers do it, how to identify and respond to these calls, and what to do if you’ve been a victim—plus real-life examples of vishing scams happening in Singapore.
What is Vishing?
Vishing, short for “voice phishing,” is a type of scam where fraudsters use phone calls to trick victims into revealing sensitive information such as:
- Banking details (e.g., OTPs, credit card numbers)
- Personal identification (e.g., NRIC, SingPass details)
- Account login credentials (e.g., email and social media passwords)
Scammers often impersonate trusted authorities like banks, government agencies, or even tech support services to manipulate victims into complying with their requests. Unlike email phishing, vishing feels more personal and immediate, making it an effective tactic for cybercriminals.
Why Do Scammers Use Vishing?
Vishing is used for financial fraud, identity theft, and other malicious purposes. Some common goals of vishing scammers include:
- Stealing money – Gaining access to your bank accounts, credit cards, or e-wallets.
- Gaining personal data – Using stolen information for fraud, identity theft, or social engineering.
- Spreading malware – Tricking victims into installing malicious apps disguised as legitimate banking or security tools.
- Exploiting businesses – Targeting employees in corporate settings to gain access to company accounts or confidential data.
Scammers rely on social engineering, which exploits human emotions like fear, urgency, or curiosity, to manipulate victims into providing information they normally wouldn’t.
How Do Scammers Use Fear & Urgency in Vishing?
Fraudsters create panic and pressure their victims into making snap decisions. Here are some common psychological tricks they use:
- Threat of legal action – “You have an unpaid fine, and if you don’t pay immediately, you’ll be arrested.”
- Bank account security threats – “Your bank account has been compromised. We need your OTP to secure it.”
- Fake deliveries or refunds – “There’s an issue with your parcel. Provide your card details to process the refund.”
- Impersonation of authority figures – “This is the police. You are under investigation for money laundering.”
These scams are designed to make you panic so you don’t have time to think rationally.
How to Detect a Potential Vishing Call
Vishing scams are getting more sophisticated, but here are key ways to spot them:
1️⃣ Be Wary of International Calls & Spoofed Numbers
🔸 Ignore overseas numbers if you are not expecting an international call.
🔸 Previously, scam calls often showed +65 (Singapore’s country code) even though they were from overseas. Be cautious of such calls.
🔸 Recently, scammers have started using non +65 numbers as well, making it harder to detect.
2️⃣ Use ScamShield to Filter Out Scam Calls
🔸 The ScamShield app (available for iOS & Android) helps identify and block known scam numbers.
🔸 It is developed by the Singapore Police Force and NCPC, making it a reliable tool to reduce scam calls.
3️⃣ Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls Asking for Personal Information
🔸 Legitimate organizations will not call you to ask for OTPs, passwords, or personal details.
🔸 Even if the call sounds professional, always verify by calling the organization’s official hotline.
4️⃣ Hang Up If There’s Unnecessary Urgency
🔸 Scammers want to rush you into making a mistake.
🔸 If the caller insists you must act immediately, take a step back and think.
What to Do If You Receive a Vishing Call
🔹 Stay calm and don’t engage – Scammers want you to panic. Keep your emotions in check.
🔹 Hang up immediately – Don’t give them a chance to pressure you.
🔹 Verify independently – If you’re unsure, call the official number of the organization the scammer claimed to be from.
🔹 Never share OTPs or passwords – No legitimate entity will ever ask for these over the phone.
🔹 Report the scam – Report the number on the ScamShield app to help authorities track scam calls and prevent others from falling victim.
What If You’ve Been Vished? Who to Contact?
If you realize you’ve been scammed or given out sensitive information:
📞 Call your bank immediately – Freeze your accounts or change passwords if needed.
📞 Contact the Singapore Police Force (SPF) – Report the scam via their hotline at 1800-255-0000 or file an online report.
📞 Report to the Anti-Scam Centre (ASC) – Call 1800-722-6688 for scam-related matters.
📞 Lodge a complaint with your telco – Some service providers can help block suspicious numbers.
📞 Change affected passwords immediately – If you’ve given away login details, change them as soon as possible.
📞 Use the ScamShield app – Report scam numbers and help authorities track ongoing vishing scams.
Real Vishing Scam Cases in Singapore
Vishing scams are widespread in Singapore, with fraudsters using various tactics to trick victims. Here are some real cases:
1️⃣ “Police Impersonation Scam”
Scammers pretend to be police officers and tell victims they are under investigation for illegal activities. They instruct the victim to transfer money or provide personal details. Some victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
2️⃣ “Banking Fraud Alert Scam”
Victims receive a call from someone claiming to be a bank officer, warning them that their account has been compromised. The scammer asks for OTPs, allowing them to siphon money from the victim’s bank account.
3️⃣ “MOH COVID-19 Scam”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers pretended to be Ministry of Health (MOH) officials. They tricked victims into revealing NRIC numbers and credit card details for “contact tracing” or “quarantine orders.”
4️⃣ “DHL/Delivery Scam”
Victims receive a call from a fake courier company claiming their package is stuck at customs due to “unpaid fees.” The scammer then asks for credit card details to “release” the package.
Final Tips: Stay Vigilant Against Vishing
✔ If in doubt, hang up and verify with the official organization.
✔ Never share personal, banking, or login details over the phone.
✔ Be skeptical of calls that pressure you into urgent action.
✔ Install ScamShield to reduce scam calls and report scam numbers.
✔ Educate your family and friends, especially seniors, about these scams.
✔ Report scams to the authorities to prevent further victims.
By staying alert and spreading awareness, we can fight back against scammers and keep our personal information safe! 🚫📞
Kyl on security 
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