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Understanding Social Engineering: Common Tactics & How to Protect Yourself
Social engineering is one of the most prevalent and dangerous forms of fraud today. Rather than relying on advanced technical skills, fraudsters use psychological manipulation to trick individuals and businesses into sharing sensitive information or granting unauthorized access. As scams become increasingly sophisticated, it’s vital to understand how social engineering works and what you can do to protect yourself and your organization.
Common Social Engineering Tactics
Phishing
What It Is: Fraudulent emails or messages that appear to come from legitimate sources.
How It Works: Scammers often mimic well-known organizations (banks, social media platforms, etc.) to urge you to click on malicious links or download infected attachments.
Example: An email claiming to be from your bank asking you to “verify your account information” by clicking a link.
Vishing (Voice Phishing)
What It Is: Phone calls from criminals posing as trusted entities, such as bank representatives or government agencies.
How It Works: They create urgency or fear to pressure you into providing confidential data (e.g., account numbers, Social Security numbers).
Example: A call warning you of “suspicious account activity” and insisting you confirm personal details immediately.
Smishing (SMS Phishing)
What It Is: Fraudulent text messages designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links.
How It Works: Scammers may send texts warning of account lockouts or unauthorized purchases. When you follow the link, you’re taken to a fake site that captures your data.
Example: A text message claiming to be from a popular retailer, offering a too-good-to-be-true discount if you “act now.”
How to Protect Yourself & Your Business
Whenever you receive a suspicious email, text, or call, pause and verify. Check the sender’s email address or phone number, and compare it against official communication channels. Never click on links or download attachments in emails from unknown senders.
If you’re unsure about the validity of a request—especially financial ones—call the known, official phone number or use the official website of the organization. Avoid responding to unsolicited messages with sensitive information.
Whenever possible, secure your online accounts with MFA. This extra step requires a one-time code sent to your phone or email, making it much harder for criminals to gain access.
Conduct regular training on recognizing social engineering attempts. Encourage everyone in your organization (and your household) to report suspicious messages or calls without fear of reprimand.
Create complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using the same password across multiple sites and consider using a reputable password manager.
- Keep up to date on the latest scams and tactics.
- Follow trusted sources (like government agencies, consumer protection groups, or your bank’s official blog) for alerts.
Taking Action if You’re Targeted
If you receive a suspicious request for your personal or financial information:
- Do Not Respond until you verify its legitimacy.
- Contact Your Bank Immediately if you suspect you’ve shared any sensitive information.
- Report It to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or other relevant authorities if you suspect a scam.
Want More Fraud Prevention Tips?
Stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts, where we’ll dive deeper into common threats like phishing, payment fraud, and identity theft—and provide actionable strategies to keep your finances safe. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact us for any questions or support regarding fraud prevention. We value your trust and are committed to safeguarding your financial well-being.
