Smishing & Vishing: Phishing’s Dangerous Cousins You Haven’t Heard Of

Phishing doesn’t just happen in your inbox anymore.

Cybercriminals are getting smarter—and more creative. As people become more aware of traditional email phishing scams, attackers are turning to text messages and phone calls to trick unsuspecting victims. These tactics, known as smishing and vishing, are on the rise—and your team needs to know what to look out for.

What Is Smishing?

Smishing (SMS phishing) is when scammers send fraudulent text messages that appear to come from legitimate sources—like your bank, a delivery service, or even your company’s HR department.

These texts often:

• Include a sense of urgency (“Your account is locked!”)

• Contain links to fake websites or malicious apps

• Ask you to verify personal or financial information

If you click or respond, attackers may steal your data—or infect your phone with malware.

What Is Vishing?

Vishing (voice phishing) involves a phone call from someone impersonating a trusted entity—like tech support, a government agency, or even your company’s leadership.

These calls might:

• Ask you to verify credentials or passwords

• Claim there's a problem with your account or device

• Try to get you to install software or transfer funds

Some vishing scams are fully automated; others involve real humans trained to manipulate you.

Why It Matters

These attacks are harder to detect than traditional phishing because they often feel more personal. People are more likely to trust a text or call—especially if it sounds official. But just like email phishing, smishing and vishing can lead to data breaches, financial loss, and compromised accounts.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Team

• Don’t trust unknown numbers – Be skeptical of unsolicited texts or calls.

• Avoid clicking links in texts – Go directly to the official website instead.

• Never share credentials over the phone – Legitimate companies will never ask for them this way.

• Report suspicious messages or calls – Notify your IT team immediately.

• Use mobile security tools – Some MDM platforms can detect and block malicious links or calls.

Need help training your team to spot smishing and vishing attempts?

We provide custom security awareness programs designed to protect your business—on every device. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our team today.

Call us at 785-714-0205

Email us at scott@smgunlimited.com

Learn more at www.smgunlimited.com