Fraudsters are getting smarter — and two tactics are on the rise: social engineering and smishing. Both exploit human trust and technology, making them dangerous for businesses and individuals alike.

What is social engineering?

Social engineering is the practice of manipulating people into revealing confidential information or taking actions that compromise security. Common examples include:

• Impersonation: Fraudsters pose as trusted colleagues, partners or vendors.
• Urgent requests: Pressure tactics designed to bypass normal verification steps.
• Phishing emails: Fake messages designed to steal credentials or sensitive data.

What is smishing?

Smishing, or SMS phishing, uses text messages to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information. These messages often:

• Claim to be from banks, delivery services or government agencies.
• Create urgency with phrases such as “Your account will be locked” or “Confirm your details now.”

Why these threats matter

Both tactics exploit human behavior, not just technology. Even the most secure systems can fail if employees unknowingly give fraudsters access.

How to protect your business

• Educate employees: Regular training on identifying suspicious messages and requests.
• Verify before acting: Encourage a “Pause and Verify” culture for unusual requests.
• Use multi-factor authentication: Adds an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.
• Report immediately: Have clear procedures for reporting suspicious activity.