Social engineering is a common method used by cybercriminals to obtain personal, financial, or confidential information. Unlike other forms of cyberattacks that rely on malicious software, social engineering depends on manipulating emotions such as trust, fear, or the desire for a good deal.
Criminals use various tactics to trick individuals into revealing sensitive data or clicking on dangerous links. These tactics can include fake offers that seem too good to be true, urgent messages that create pressure—such as warnings about account blocks—and fraudulent websites that imitate trusted sources. The goal is often to prompt quick action without careful thought.
Signs of a social engineering scam may include messages urging immediate action, exaggerated discounts or prizes, suspicious links, poor grammar or spelling errors, and requests for personal or banking information without valid reasons.
To avoid falling victim to these schemes, experts recommend several precautions: always verify the source of any message or website before entering your data; do not share confidential information through unknown messages, emails, or forms; avoid clicking on suspicious links even if they appear to come from known contacts; activate security alerts on bank accounts; and trust your instincts—if something feels unusual, investigate further before responding.
Banco G&T Continental advises staying informed as the best defense against digital fraud. "At Banco GyT Continental we support you so that you are protected in the digital world. Being alert and knowing how fraud operates is the first step to keeping your information safe," according to the institution.
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