Key Vishing Statistics

Vishing, or voice phishing, has emerged as a significant cybersecurity threat, targeting both individuals and organizations with deceptive phone calls. Recent statistics highlight the alarming rise and impact of vishing attacks, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance and robust security measures.

A Growing Threat

Vishing attacks surged by an astounding 550% in 2022. This sharp increase underscores the growing sophistication and frequency of these attacks as fraudsters exploit voice communications to deceive their targets.

In fact, Trellix reported a 142% growth in vishing attacks in Q4 2022 compared to previous quarters. This spike indicates that attackers are ramping up efforts, particularly during periods of increased economic activity and vulnerability.

Financial and Demographic Impact

Massive Financial Losses

Americans lost approximately $39.5 billion to phone scams in 2022, up from $29.8 billion in 2021. These staggering figures reflect the severe financial impact of vishing on individuals and businesses alike.

High Victim Rates

An estimated 33% of the U.S. population has fallen victim to scams at least once, highlighting the widespread reach of these fraudulent activities. In 2022, 68.4 million people in the U.S. lost money to phone spam, demonstrating the vast scale of the problem.

Demographic Insights

A 2019 survey revealed that the 18-22 age group had the highest awareness of vishing, yet awareness does not always translate to immunity, as this demographic remains a frequent target. Interestingly, American men are found to be more susceptible to vishing attacks than women, suggesting a need for tailored awareness and education campaigns.

Specific Vishing Tactics and Regional Impact

Neighbor Spoofing

In 2022, 51% of vishing attacks in the U.S. involved neighbor spoofing, where the attacker manipulates the caller ID to match the first six digits of the victim's phone number. This tactic increases the likelihood of the call being answered.

Global Reach

Vishing is not confined to the U.S. Organizations in Spain experienced a staggering 99% rate of vishing attacks in 2019, showing that this threat is truly global.

The surge in vishing attacks underscores the critical need for enhanced security measures and increased awareness among individuals and organizations. Understanding these key statistics helps highlight the urgency of addressing this growing threat through education, robust security practices, and continuous vigilance.