Actual Recording of a Vishing Attack

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Customers of Liberty Bank of Boulder Creek, CA. have been subject to an automated phone call vishing scam (phone-based phishing) that references Liberty Bank by name, making the attempt more believable to unsuspecting victims.

Residents of San Lorenzo Valley and parts of Santa Cruz have reported receiving automated phone calls, purportedly from Liberty Bank, saying, "Your card has been suspended because we believe it was accessed by a third party. Please press 1 now to be transferred to our security department."

Customers who press "1" are asked to enter their credit/debit card number and personal identification number. Once usernames and passwords to a web-based e-mail account are captured from a customer, criminals can access the login information and transfer money.

The Santa Cruz Sheriff's office initially handled the investigation, but the case has been turned over to the FBI, says Jill Hitchman, first vice president of the bank.

"There will be some losses," Hitchman says. "Charges started showing up almost immediately after our customers gave away their card numbers."

Listen to the automated vishing call: