Phishing, CEO fraud, and deepfakes threaten businesses, learn how to stay one step ahead
Cybercriminals aren’t just hacking systems anymore, they’re hacking people. For small and mid-sized businesses in Washington, social engineering attacks are one of today’s biggest cybersecurity risks. These scams prey on human psychology, tricking employees into sharing passwords, clicking malicious links, or even wiring money to criminals.
The stakes are high: the average organization faces more than 800 social engineering attempts every year. For local businesses that can’t afford downtime or financial loss, awareness is your best defense.
What Is Social Engineering?
Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into giving up sensitive information or performing risky actions. Instead of breaking through firewalls, attackers exploit trust, habits, and instincts.
For Washington businesses, where remote work, hybrid offices, and digital payments are common, these scams are more dangerous than ever.
Common Social Engineering Tactics
Phishing & Smishing
Emails and text messages that impersonate trusted companies or banks. They often warn, “Your account has been locked!” to create panic and push immediate clicks.
Business Email Compromise (BEC) & CEO Fraud
Cybercriminals pose as executives to pressure employees into transferring money or sending sensitive files. With AI-powered deepfakes and convincing emails, these attacks are increasingly sophisticated.
Callback Phishing
Scammers email a fake alert with a “support” number. When employees call, attackers use psychological tricks to get logins, payments, or remote access.
Pretexting & Impersonation
Fraudsters pretend to be IT staff, HR, or even your CEO, using fake stories to gain trust. With voice-cloning on the rise, distinguishing real from fake is harder than ever.
Quid Pro Quo & Baiting
“Free software” or “exclusive tech support” offers often come loaded with malware, stealing access in exchange for a tempting perk.
Best Practices to Avoid Getting Scammed
Pause and Verify
Confirm suspicious requests through another channel, call your bank, your manager, or IT team before acting.
Train for Awareness
Security training teaches employees to spot red flags. Washington businesses benefit most from local, tailored awareness programs like CircleTwice Security Training.
Scrutinize Links and Attachments
Hover over links before clicking. Be extra cautious with files you didn’t expect.
Watch for Odd Timing
Late-night emails or subject lines that don’t match the content are classic red flags.
Secure Communication Channels
Use multi-factor authentication, secure email gateways, and internal policies to protect sensitive communications.
Test Your Defenses
Run phishing simulations and penetration tests so weaknesses are caught before criminals exploit them.
Final Thoughts
Social engineering is evolving rapidly, but with the right training, policies, and vigilance, your Washington business can stay one step ahead.
At CircleTwice, we specialize in cybersecurity training and protection for small and mid-sized businesses across Washington. From phishing simulations to hands-on workshops, we help your employees recognize scams before they cause damage.
Ready to protect your business from scammers? Contact CircleTwice today to schedule a free consultation and empower your team with the tools to stop social engineering attacks in their tracks.
