Initial Contact:

• The attacker uses various communication channels, including phone calls, emails, or text messages, to contact the victim.
• The message employs urgency or importance, baiting the victim to respond quickly without much thought. Examples include responding to gain access to an expired account, avoiding paying a late fee, or updating critical personal information with HR.

Impersonation:

• The attacker poses as a legitimate organization, using logos, email addresses, or phone numbers closely resembling trusted ones.

Pretext:

• The attacker establishes a pretext for the callback, citing reasons such as security concerns, account issues, or the need for immediate action to resolve a problem.

Request for Information or Action:

• The phishing attempt typically aims at obtaining usernames, passwords, credit card details, or personal identification information (PII).
• Another ploy is to get the victim to click on a link, download an attachment, or perform some other action needed before calling back to resolve the matter that compromises their security.

Creating Urgency:

• Callback phishing attacks leverage a sense of urgency or fear, suggesting failure to comply with the request will result in negative consequences like account suspension, legal action, or financial loss.

Manipulation Techniques:

• Social engineering techniques may be employed to manipulate the victim emotionally, making them more likely to overlook red flags and comply with the attacker's demands.