Phone Tips and Tricks: Voicemail to Email Phishing Scams

Getting your voicemail sent to your email is a great way to keep up on messages when traveling or away from the office. But scammers have discovered a new way to turn this convenience to their advantage in an attempt to grab your personal information.

Recently some customers have received emails that look identical to normal voicemail to email messages they receive, usually with a subject line such as “Voice Message from Unknown (734-563-XXXX).” The deceptive difference is that the attachment is a .zip file, rather than the standard .wav file normally sent. A .wav file is specifically a type of audio format, or as Wikipedia puts it: Waveform Audio File Format (WAVE, or more commonly known as WAV due to its filename extension) is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing an audio bitstream on PCs. This is simply an audio recording of your voice message.

A zip file, by contrast, is a way to compress any type of file into a smaller form for easier sharing or storage. A .ZIP file may contain one or more files or folders that have been compressed, according to Wikipedia. In other words, when you receive a zip file, you really have no idea what may actually be inside it before you uncompress it. Usually you are sending and receiving these file from trusted colleagues. By disguising the file as an attachment from what appears to be a trusted source, even the most web-savvy employee can be caught off guard. Any jpg may be easily converted 2 pdf.

Be sure to protect yourself and your business. Keep your anti-virus and firewall software up-to-date. Make sure employees are aware of the latest scams. And work with a trusted communications partner that can help keep your systems protected 24/7.

For over 25 years, we have assisted companies like yours in their every communications need. We are a local, family-owned business invested in our community. ContactSoundTel or call 425.481.5493 or 800.797.3663 to learn about internet security, anti-virus, firewall protection and more. Arrange for your free 15 minute CheckIn communications system analysis andSoundTel can help make sure your business is protected.