Skype aware of ONLINE HELP vishing scam attack

Skype has responded to Pocket-lint's story published yesterday about the new kind of scam calls its users are receiving. Nicknamed "vishing" (voice phishing), the new type of attack can even lead unwitting customers into visiting websites that subsequently install malware viruses on their machines or even ask for personal information while purporting to be Skype itself.

Pocket-lint itself was targeted by a user called drajizonlinehelp, with the call flagged as "ONLINE HELP". It led us to investigate and then contact Skype for more information, which it has just published in the form of a blog on its site:

"Skype is aware of so-called 'vishing' (or voice phishing) attacks, where a recorded call is made to a person to try and coax them to do something, like share personal information via phone or visit a Web site to download malicious software disguised as security updates," says Adrian Asher, the company's chief information security officer.

"As with any form of communication today, users should be vigilant and responsible at all times and be wary of any suspicious activity. Our advice is similar to answering a call on your mobile from unknown parties that you don't recognise: either don't answer and certainly don't follow any instructions from unknown parties, much as you wouldn't click on or visit unknown URLs or download attachments that seem suspicious."

It is also recommended that you either change your settings to stop unknown users contacting you or, whenever you do receive such a message, don't answer, block them immediately and report them to Skype so that they can be permanently removed from the service.

Have you been caught out by the "vishing" scams on Skype? Let us know in the comments below...