Social engineering: Fraudsters’ super weapon

Social engineering methods

1. Spoofing: 
   Spoofing is a kind of manipulation where the fraudsters make it look like they are calling from a trustworthy phone number when in reality they are calling from a completely different number. That’s why it is always a good idea to interrupt the call if you have doubts about what is said in the conversation – and then call the company that the person claims to work for.  This way, you can make sure that you get in touch with the right company. 
   
   Spoofing can also occur in text messages and e-mails where the fraudsters create a fake sender name, such as the name of a well-known company. Our smartphones do not always sort and present messages by the number they come from but by their sender name. That’s how text messages from fraudsters who use a fake sender name can end up in the same message thread on your phone as a real text message from the actual company. 
    
2. Emotional manipulation:
   
   • Urgency: Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency, forcing the victim to act quickly without sufficient thought.
   • Sympathy: By portraying themselves as someone in need or telling a touching story, fraudsters appeal to the victim’s compassion and desire to help.
   • Fear: Threats of negative consequences such as legal action or loss of money are used to push the victim to act.
3. Technological tools:
   
   • Phishing: In phishing attacks fraudsters send e-mails or text messages that look authentic, complete with logos and language similar to what a real organisation would use.
   • Vishing (voice phishing): Vishing uses phone calls where fraudsters can use voice-modulating software to imitate voices or create a background sound that simulates a legitimate office environment.