FBI WARNS OF SMISHING AND VISHING

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Cases of the FBI podcast, retired agents share
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Speaker 2 (00:14):
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(00:50):
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Speaker 2 (01:00):
Another FBI PSA, this is a new one called phishing
and vishing and smishing, So actually smishing and wishing is
where we're talking about. FBI is issuing this announcement of
warn and provide mitigation tips to the public about ongoing
malicious text and voice messaging campaign. Malicious actors have impersonated
senior US officials to target individuals. Many of whom are

(01:22):
current or former senior US federal or state government officials
and their contacts. If you receive a message claiming to
be from a senior US official, do not assume it
is authentic. The malicious actors have sent text messages and
AI generated voice messages techniques known as smishing and vishing,
VIISHI ANDNG that claim to come from a senior US

(01:45):
official in an effort to establish rapport before getting access
to personal accounts. One way the actors gained such access
is by sending targeted individuals a malicious link under the
guise of transitioning to a separate messaging platform. To personal
or official accounts operated by US officials could be used
to target other government officials or their associates and contexts

(02:07):
by using trusted contact information they obtained. Contact information acquired
through social engineering schemes could also be used to impersonate
contacts to illicit information or funds. Smishing is the malicious
targeting of individuals using short message service or multimedia service
text messaging. Vishing incorporates AI generated voices is the malicious

(02:31):
targeting of individuals using voice memos. Some of the recommendations
verify the identity of the person calling you or sending
text or voice messages before responding. Research to the originating number,
organization and person purporting to contact you. Then independently identify
a phone number for the person and call to verify
their authenticity. Carefully examine the email address, messaging contact information,

(02:54):
including phone numbers, URLs and spelling let us use in
the correspondence. Look for subtle imperfections and images and videos
such as distorted hands or feed or unrealistic facial features,
maybe inaccurate shadows, watermarks, or voice call lag time. Listen
closely to the tone and word choice to distinguish between
a legitimate phone call or voice message from a known

(03:15):
contact and an AI generated voice cloning. Never share sensitive information.
Do not send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, or rather
have assets people you do not know have never met
online or over the phone. Do not click on any
links in an email or text. Be careful what you download.
Never open an email attachment, click on links and messages.

(03:36):
Set up a two factor I thought the authentication on
any account that allows it, and never disable it. Actors
may use social engineering techniques to convince you to disclose
a two factor authentication code, which allows the actor to
compromise and take over accounts, so never provide a two
factor code to anyone over email, text message, or any
other encrypted messaging application so you can do a Tditional information,

(03:59):
you can see the FBI's guidance on spoofing and fishing,
as well as a PSA about how criminals use generative
artificial intelligence to facilitate financial fraud