Vishing, also known as voice phishing, is a growing threat in the world of cybercrime.

Scammers pretend to be from trusted places, like banks, government agencies, or well-known companies. 

They use sneaky tricks on the phone, fooling people into giving away their personal information.

Millions have been tricked by these clever criminals, who often target those who might be more easily deceived. 

In this revealing article, we’ll share surprising, vishing statistics about this growing problem.

Now is the time to learn more and protect us from this sneaky online threat.

Key Vishing Statistics

  • A staggering $68.4 million was swindled from Americans in 2022 through vishing scams.
  • A whopping 85% of vishing attacks stem from free email services.
  • A shocking 550% surge in vishing attacks from 2021 to 2022.
  • COVID-19 vishing scams targeted 59% of Americans in 2021.
  • One in three Americans have been victimized by phone scams.
  • Men found to be more susceptible than women in 2021.

Top Vishing Statistics in 2024

Prepare to be astonished by the 11 craziest vishing statistics of 2024, revealing the extent and impact of this voice phishing phenomenon. 

As time progresses, technology consistently evolves and reaches new heights, expanding its capabilities with each passing year.

However, so do the methods of cybercriminals that are trying to scam people worldwide.

Here are the top examples of vishing scams that will leave you speechless.

1. A Staggering $68.4 Million Swindled from Americans in 2022 Through Vishing Scams

Vishing

The meteoric rise in vishing victims has been an alarming trend in the United States since 2017, with the financial fallout snowballing year after year.

Back in 2017, vishing scams left Americans $22 million poorer.

Fast forward to 2020, and the losses skyrocketed to a jaw-dropping $56 million. 

By 2022, the vishing menace had further escalated, swiping a colossal $68.4 million from the pockets of unsuspecting citizens. 

This unsettling growth underscores the relentless and evolving nature of these malicious schemes.

It’s crucial to note that this astronomical sum only includes reported vishing incidents, leaving countless unreported cases lurking in the shadows.

In addition to the staggering $68.4 million loss, 26% of Americans admit to having been duped by phone scams, with financial damages amounting to $59.4 million in 2021 alone. 

This grim reality is a stark reminder of the perils of vishing and the pressing need for increased vigilance.

2. Beware: A Whopping 85% of Vishing Attacks Stem from Free Email Services

Surprisingly, email plays a significant role in vishing schemes, with most attacks in the last quarter of 2022 traced back to free email services. 

According to Trellix, a staggering 85% of vishing onslaughts originated from these seemingly innocent platforms.

The most impersonated companies in the Q4 2022 vishing blitz included household names like Amazon, McAfee, PayPal, Norton, and Geek Squad. 

These cybercriminals cunningly craft emails mimicking these popular brands, luring victims into their voice phishing traps.

If you’ve been lucky enough to dodge emails masquerading as these companies, count your blessings.

However, awareness and caution are your best defenses against falling prey to these devious schemes.

3. A Shocking 550% Surge in Vishing Attacks: September 2022 Statistics Unveil a Disturbing Trend

Vishing attacks skyrocketed by an astounding 550% from the first quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2022.

This exponential growth signifies a more than five-fold increase in vishing assaults in just a single year.

The report doesn’t stop there – it also reveals a surge in social media impersonation attacks. 

Brand impersonation volume has soared by 339%, while executive impersonation volume has leaped by a staggering 273%.

Even more alarming, hybrid campaigns that blend vishing with other tactics now account for a massive 26% of total attack volume. 

Moreover, this dramatic escalation in vishing threats is a stark reminder of the constant need for vigilance in today’s digital landscape.

4. Alarming Alert: COVID-19 Vishing Scams Targeted 59% of Americans in 2021

As the world grappled with the pandemic, vishers seized the opportunity to exploit the chaos, with 59% of Americans receiving COVID-19-related scam calls in 2021.

Vishers didn’t spare the other 41%, who, by sheer luck, escaped their predatory reach.

The global pandemic created a perfect storm for these unscrupulous scammers, who wasted no time capitalizing on fear and uncertainty. 

Forecasts warn that these insidious COVID-19 vishing campaigns are set to persist into 2023 and beyond.

Therefore, everyone must remain vigilant and informed in the face of this relentless vishing onslaught.

5. Startling Revelation: One in Three Americans Victimized by Phone Scams

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The TrueCaller Insights 2022 U.S. Spam & Scam Report sheds light on the alarming prevalence of voice phishing in the United States. 

A staggering 33% of Americans – that’s one in every three – have reported falling victim to phone scams or vishing.

Even more concerning, 20% of those who reported these incidents have been trapped by these malicious phone calls more than once. 

While 20% may seem like a small fraction in other contexts, it’s a shockingly high percentage in the sinister world of vishing. 

This startling statistic underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and protective measures against these menacing phone scammers.

6. A Jaw-Dropping 142% Surge in Vishing Attacks Uncovered by Trellix in 2022

In a chilling 2022 report, cybersecurity firm Trellix revealed a staggering 142% increase in vishing attacks during the year’s final quarter.

This explosive growth in malicious phone scam tactics within three months is truly astounding.

Moreover, this statistic is among the most startling revelations to date, emphasizing the relentless and rapidly evolving nature of these devious schemes. 

Furthermore, the report identified phishing emails containing malicious URLs as the most rampant attack type by the close of 2022.

This highlights the need for constant vigilance against these ever-shifting cyber threats.

7. The Perceived Menace of AI Tools in Vishing Attacks

As AI tools grow increasingly sophisticated and convincing, one might assume that they play a significant role in vishing schemes.

However, their contribution to these malicious campaigns has been somewhat overestimated.

While AI tools appear in some vishing attacks, they are not yet as formidable as their more traditional counterparts, such as robocalls and human impersonators. 

Steve Povolny, Trellix’s director and principal engineer, asserts that the effectiveness of AI tools in vishing scams has not quite reached its feared potential – at least, not yet.

8. A Sinister Twist: Vishing Scammers Target Android Phones with Malware in Late 2022

Vishing

By October 2022, global headlines exposed a chilling new development in vishing tactics.

Cybercriminals had turned their sights on Android users, luring victims into downloading and installing a fraudulent banking app riddled with malware.

Analysts uncovered this devious vishing campaign, primarily targeting Italian banks and their account holders. 

The operation was frighteningly sophisticated, leading unsuspecting victims to various convincing phishing sites.

This attack impersonated various Italian banking services, making it a sinister reminder of the ever-evolving nature of these nefarious schemes.

9. Men Found to be More Susceptible than Women in 2021

A striking gender disparity emerges from recent statistics on vishing attack victims.

In 2021, a surprising 59.4% of those trapped by scam calls were men, while only 38.3% were women. 

A small fraction (2.3%) preferred not to disclose their gender.

This intriguing data highlights the varying susceptibilities of different demographics, demonstrating that no one is immune to the manipulative tactics of vishing scammers.

10. Brazil: A Hotspot for Vishing Attacks and a Haven for Spammers

For four consecutive years, Brazil has held the dubious title of being the most spammed country in the world. 

This alarming trend should serve as a wake-up call for Brazilian authorities to impose stricter regulations and penalties on vishers. 

Nonetheless, the problem appears to be met with mere indifference.

In 2021, a shocking 44.1% of vishing attacks in Brazil involved financial services such as credit card companies, banks, loan providers, and credit unions.

On the other hand, sales calls accounted for 39% of all spam-marked calls, while total scam volume constituted 16.9%.

Moreover, this paints a disturbing portrait of the nation’s susceptibility to these harmful tactics.

11. Peru’s Unpredictable Climb in Vishing Rankings: A Rollercoaster of 12 Million Spam Calls in One Month

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Peru’s position in the global vishing landscape has been a wild ride, bouncing between rankings as the country grapples with a surge of spam calls. 

After claiming the second spot in 2019, Peru dropped to fourteenth in 2020, only to rise back to second place in 2021. 

This fluctuation underscores the urgent need for Peruvians to adopt robust spam-blocking measures. 

Differing from Brazil, 46.5% of all spam-marked calls in Peru during 2021 originated from sales or telemarketing, with 37.3% stemming from financial services

While the vishing percentage remained fairly stable, increasing from 10% in 2020 to 10.8% in 2021, the volume of incoming spam calls saw a significant rise. 

There were 7.6 million in January, followed by 10.2 million in April and 11 million in July.

By October 2021, the number had soared to a staggering 12 million.

Conclusion 

The rapid rise of vishing attacks over the years is a cause for concern.

As scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics, you must remain vigilant and protect your personal information. 

Remember, never disclose sensitive details over the phone and consistently monitor your bank and credit card accounts.

Vishing has surged in recent years, with hybrid threats becoming more prevalent, particularly in specific countries or among certain demographics. 

As these scams continue to evolve, everyone needs to stay informed and take necessary precautions. 

By being aware of these vishing statistics and prepared to handle potential vishing attempts, we can minimize the losses and trauma of this ever-growing cybercrime.

Sources

CIOCommunity CentralFBI Internet Crime Report 2020
FBI Internet Crime Report 2021PhishLabsProofpoint 2020 State of the Phish
TechTargetThe Hacker NewsThreat Fabric
Trellix ReportTrueCaller Insights 2022