A malevolent party can attempt to gain access to your passwords and other security credentials by asking for them, usually through email (“Phishing”) or by text message (Smishing”) or directly on the telephone (“Vishing”)
It may be thought that only unintelligent and naive people succumb to these attacks, but this is not true in my experience. Mostly it is inattention or panic that causes people to click on the wrong link or reveal information.
Any email or text message that purports to “check your security” or tells you that your account has been suspended for some reason or that you have won some obscure lottery are suspicious, although some look very genuine indeed.
The simple defence is not to click on any links in the email or message at all and delete it.
If you are concerned look up the genuine contact details for the company, bank or entity that the message supposedly came from. Do Not use the contact details on the message itself.
Vishing calls can be plausible convincing and intimidating.
Ask for the name of the person, the Company and department they work in and then hang up and check your line has cleared. Then use the website details to ring back. Do not use the contact details they give you.