Social engineering scams: How to recognise and prevent them

Social engineering scams are behind nearly every major breach, with 98% of cyber attacks relying on some form of human manipulation. This isn’t a side issue, it is the issue.

This guide strips out the tech jargon and shows you what these scams look like, how they work, and what you can do to avoid becoming the next cautionary tale.

Table of contents

• What is social engineering?
• 15 examples of social engineering scams
• How to prevent social engineering scams
• FAQs about social engineering scams

Social engineering is when a cyber criminal manipulates human behaviour to get hold of data, money, or access. No hacking required, just old-school deception in a business suit.

They pretend to be someone you trust. They nudge you into acting fast. They rely on curiosity, helpfulness, fear, or just one tired team member who’s barely had their first coffee.

The result? One email. One click. One leak. And just like that, your business is at risk.

15 examples of social engineering scams

Phishing

Fake emails pretending to be from banks, suppliers or internal teams—asking you to click a link, update info, or download something “urgent.”

Spear phishing

More personal, more believable. These scams name you, mention your role, or refer to recent activity. It feels real, because it’s designed to.

Vishing (voice phishing)

Scam phone calls pretending to be from IT, HMRC, or your bank. They’re polite, helpful and after your login details.

Smishing (SMS phishing)

A text from a delivery company or bank with a link to click. It feels more urgent on your phone and that’s the trap.

Pretexting

The attacker spins a story—posing as HR, police, or a colleague, to get you to hand over info or access.

Baiting

“Free USB stick!” or “Download free software here!” Except what you actually download is malware.

Quid pro quo

“I’ll fix your issue, just give me your login.” They sound helpful, but they’re helping themselves.

Tailgating

Someone follows your team into a secure area claiming they’ve forgotten their pass. Simple. Still works.

Skip ratting

Yes, it’s as grim as it sounds. Some attackers literally search bins outside offices for hardware, documents or logins.

Watering hole attacks

They infect a website your team visits regularly (like a supplier portal) to silently install malware.

Business email compromise (BEC)

A fake email from your “CEO” asking accounts to transfer funds now. Looks real. Works far too often.

Honey traps

Attackers build a romantic or emotional connection online and use it to extract information or access.

Rogue security software

Pop-up warnings that your system is “infected.” The fix? Malware. Irony noted.

Social media exploitation

They use LinkedIn or Instagram to gather info on your team, then strike when the guard’s down.

Impersonation

A call from “IT” or a supplier. Sounds legit. Isn’t.

How to prevent social engineering scams

• Create a culture of awareness – Train your team to spot red flags. 
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) – Adds an extra layer of protection.
• Run phishing simulations – Realistic practice builds instinct.
• Shred physical documents – Don’t give away paper trails.
• Use email filters and protection tools – Let tech help catch threats.
• Control physical access – Keep offices and equipment secure.
• Keep social media sharing in check – Don’t overshare sensitive info online.
• Work with a team that understands real risk – Choose cyber security training that actually sticks.

FAQs about social engineering scams

What are common examples of social engineering scams?

Phishing, spear phishing, vishing, smishing, pretexting, and business email compromise.

How do I know if I’ve been targeted?

Look for urgency, odd tone, or requests for sensitive info. If something feels off, pause.

What should I do if I click a dodgy link?

Disconnect from the internet, report it to IT, and don’t enter any details.

Are small businesses really at risk?

Yes. In fact, they’re often targeted more because defences are assumed to be weaker.

What’s the best way to prevent social engineering scams?

Train your team, use MFA, test regularly, and talk about security often, it should be part of your daily rhythm.

Let’s make your business harder to trick

Social engineering scams work because people are busy, distracted, or just trying to help. But we can change that.

At Cloud & More, we help your team stay aware, alert, and secure, without the fear tactics or jargon. Just real support, built around real people.

📩 Book your free cyber security vulnerability assessment today. No pressure. Just practical advice from a team that’s got your back.