Phishing is a fraudulent activity in which email messages, SMS messages, or phone calls are used to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Phishing requests by email, SMS, or phone calls are often constructed to make you believe you are receiving a valid request and interacting with a trustworthy source. Many of these messages or calls will ask you to update, validate or renew your account or service. These communications are a scam.

Read the guidelines below to help you determine whether you are being targeted by a potential scam and follow the instructions to protect yourself.

If you think you have received a fraudulent email message, SMS message, or phone call from someone impersonating Vonage, see Report and Protect Against Phishing Activity for details on how to handle this information.

Email or SMS Messages and Phishing

Phishing through the use of email or SMS messages (also known as Smishing) often contains graphic images, disguised links, URLs, or other elements that are designed to look like a legitimate request. Other phishing activity by email or SMS message often threatens dire actions if you do not respond, such as closing your account or turning off services. These are not messages from Vonage. Instead, handle requests as follows:

• Do not click on any links in a suspicious message to log directly into your Online Account. Instead, go to app.vonage.com and enter your username and password.
• Be suspicious of any email/SMS message or pop-up message that requests personal information.
  Do not reply to any message that requests your personal information such as username, password, answers to security questions, or credit card information. Vonage and other legitimate companies do not request this information through email or SMS. 
  If you are concerned about your account, contact the company mentioned in the message by calling a telephone number you know is genuine, or open a new browser and enter the company's web address.
• Do not send personal or financial information in an email or SMS message.
  Email and SMS messages are not a secure method of transmitting personal information and Vonage never requests that you send personal information through email or SMS.
• Be cautious about opening attachments or downloading files, regardless of the sender. 
  Attachments and downloaded files often contain viruses or other software that can weaken your computer's or phone's security.
• Be aware that fraudulent email or SMS messages often contain spelling errors and use poor grammar.

Phone Calls and Phishing

Phishing through the use of a phone call often involves persons requesting personal details about your account, such as password, and credit card information.

• Be skeptical of any unsolicited call regarding your Vonage Account. 
  If you receive an unsolicited call, do not provide any personal or account information such as username, password, answers to security questions, or credit card information. Instead, ask for the caller's name, department, telephone number, and address. Contact Us to confirm this person is with the company or to report potential phone phishing.
• Scammers can spoof phone numbers and you should question suspicious phone numbers on your Caller ID.
  Some phone numbers that appear on your Caller ID may not show a complete set of numbers or the phone number itself may begin with all zeros (0).
• Current customers will never receive a call from Vonage about the Refer-a-Friend® program. 
  Vonage does not call customers and ask them to refer friends to obtain a free month of service.

Report and Protect Against Phishing Activity

To report suspicious email or SMS messages you feel are impersonating Vonage, forward the email message (or copy the SMS message into an email) to abuse@vonage.com. You will receive an email reply acknowledging receipt of the message. To verify or report phone call scams, contact us.

If you think your account has been compromised, sign in to your Online Account and change your password. Also, remember to review your credit card statements if you feel your financial information has been compromised. Vonage charges appear as VBS*VONAGE BUSINESS 866-901-0242 GA on your statement.

For more on phishing and how to protect yourself against scams, go to www.antiphishing.org.