Search Term: “examples of social engineering attacks” (result from Google.com)

Social engineering attacks trick people into revealing confidential info or gaining unauthorized access, using methods like Phishing (fake emails/texts/calls), Pretexting (creating fake scenarios), Baiting (offering freebies for data), Tailgating (physical access), and CEO Fraud (impersonating executives), all leveraging human psychology over technical exploits. 

Common Digital Examples

• Phishing (Email/Smishing/Vishing): Sending fake emails, texts (smishing), or calls (vishing) pretending to be from banks, delivery services, or tech support to get login details or money.
• Spear Phishing/Whaling: Highly personalized phishing targeting specific individuals (spear phishing) or high-level executives (whaling) with tailored, convincing requests.
• CEO Fraud/Business Email Compromise (BEC): Impersonating a CEO or executive to rush employees into wiring funds or sharing sensitive data.
• Baiting: Leaving infected USB drives (like a “free music” drive) or promising valuable rewards (prizes, free software) to lure victims into downloading malware or giving up info.
• Scareware: Pop-ups falsely claiming viruses, urging victims to buy fake antivirus software.
• Watering Hole: Compromising websites a specific group visits to infect them when they browse. 

If it sounds to good to be true it’s likely a scam

If you receive an email from a loved one asking for bail money verify. Do they have a phone?

Setup a challenge/response question to confirm identities of import people. Something thats not in a Facebook profile or in the public space.