$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Multi-channel phishing scams
video call then credential harvest scam
Scammers set up a video call posing as IT support, a vendor, or colleague, then share a screen link or chat message during the call that leads to credential theft.
“phishing scam”
↑ 700%Key indicators
Usually targetsBusiness professionals
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.4K
median reported loss
Typical range$90 – $9.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Attackers schedule video calls posing as IT support, potential clients, or recruiters.
2
During the call, they share a link in the chat or ask the victim to share their screen while logging into an account.
3
Credentials entered during the call are captured through screen recording, fake login pages shared via chat, or remote access tools.
What to do first
Never enter credentials while sharing your screen in a video call.
Related terms
Zoom phishing attackvideo conference credential theftvirtual meeting social engineeringMulti-channel phishing scamsMultipleSurgingBusiness professionalsRemote workersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaZoom phishing attackvideo conference credential theft
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Jessica, 35, a business professionals, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate multi-channel phishing scams situation online. Attackers schedule video calls posing as IT support, potential clients, or recruiters.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: During the call, they share a link in the chat or ask the victim to share their screen while logging into an account.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Credentials entered during the call are captured through screen recording, fake login pages shared via chat, or remote access tools.
The outcome
Jessica realized something was wrong when an unexpected video call invitation comes from someone you do not know or were not expecting to meet with. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never enter credentials while sharing your screen in a video call. Jessica's experience shows why an unexpected video call invitation comes from someone you do not know or were not expecting to meet with and during the call, you are asked to click a link or enter credentials in the chat are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- An unexpected video call invitation comes from someone you do not know or were not expecting to meet with
- During the call, you are asked to click a link or enter credentials in the chat
- The caller asks you to share your screen and then coaches you through entering login information
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Never enter credentials while sharing your screen in a video call.
- ✓Verify the identity of anyone requesting an unexpected video meeting through a separate communication channel.
- ✓Do not click links shared in video call chats from unknown participants.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FBI and CISA have warned about the increasing use of video conferencing platforms for social engineering attacks, particularly targeting remote workers.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Never enter credentials while sharing your screen in a video call.
- ✓Verify the identity of anyone requesting an unexpected video meeting through a separate communication channel.
- ✓Do not click links shared in video call chats from unknown participants.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FBI and CISA have warned about the increasing use of video conferencing platforms for social engineering attacks, particularly targeting remote workers.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Business professionals, Remote workers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany
Primary channel
Multiple — Multi-channel phishing scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Business professionals are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FBI and CISA have warned about the increasing use of video conferencing platforms for social engineering attacks, particularly targeting remote workers.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about video call then credential harvest scam
How does the video call then credential harvest scam work?+
Attackers schedule video calls posing as IT support, potential clients, or recruiters. During the call, they share a link in the chat or ask the victim to share their screen while logging into an account. Credentials entered during the call are captured through screen recording, fake login pages shared via chat, or remote access tools.
What are the warning signs of video call then credential harvest scam?+
An unexpected video call invitation comes from someone you do not know or were not expecting to meet with During the call, you are asked to click a link or enter credentials in the chat The caller asks you to share your screen and then coaches you through entering login information
What should I do if I encounter video call then credential harvest scam?+
Never enter credentials while sharing your screen in a video call. Verify the identity of anyone requesting an unexpected video meeting through a separate communication channel. Do not click links shared in video call chats from unknown participants.
Who is most at risk for video call then credential harvest scam?+
This scam primarily targets Business professionals, Remote workers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and typically appears on Multiple.
Is video call then credential harvest scam getting worse?+
video call then credential harvest scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, DE. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.