Online scammers have found a new way of tricking computer users into handing over their secure banking details, this time by using internet telephone networks. The scam is a twist on the now familiar phishing attacks that target banks and e-commerce companies but, instead of asking users to click on an email link to verify their details, the message includes a legitimate looking phone number. The email message would typically state that particular account details must be verified by the user by phone due to suspected fraudulent activity. Voice-over-IP (VoIP) networks are most commonly employed by the scammers because phone numbers can be selected to display any regional code, and then routed to anywhere in the world. According to Secure Computing, a US security company that has been monitoring the trend, this new technique, labelled "vishing", allows scammers to harvest personal information in addition to card and account numbers. Those calling the phone number are greeted by an automated recording, which tells the consumer they have reached account verification and instructs the consumer to enter their 16-digit credit card number on the key pad. Using reverse phone number look-up, the fraudster can then link name and address details to the account number and might then attempt to glean further details such as PINs, card expiry date and date of birth. "It is a normal procedure when calling a credit card provider to be asked to enter your 16-digit credit card number before given the opportunity to speak to a credit card representative. Consumers need to be extra vigilant when giving out their information on the phone," the company said.