If you manage the money or make big decisions for a small or mid-sized business in Lancaster, you’ve probably got a lot on your plate. Payroll. Vendors. Forecasting. Maybe even IT, whether you wanted that role or not. And while you’re juggling all that, there’s a quiet, sneaky threat trying to slip in through the cracks: social engineering scams.
This post is here to help you spot those scams before they cost you. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know what social engineering scams look like, why your business is an attractive target, and the simple steps you can take to keep your people and your data safe.
What Is a Social Engineering Scam, Really?
Let’s keep it simple: social engineering scams are when bad actors trick people, not technology.
Imagine someone calling your office pretending to be “the bank” and asking you to “verify your account number” to fix a “security issue.” Or an email that looks like it came from your CEO asking you to send over W-2s for “a quick review.” These scams don’t rely on hacking your systems. They rely on hacking your trust.
At ONE 2 ONE IT Solutions, we see this all the time when we audit local businesses. It’s not that folks aren’t smart; it’s that these scammers are clever. They know how to create panic, urgency, or just enough trust to get someone to click, share, or approve something that opens the door.
Why SMBs Are Prime Targets
Here’s a tough truth: small and mid-sized businesses are often easier targets than big enterprises. You don’t have an in-house security team watching every email or phone call. Your people wear a lot of hats, and that makes it easier for a scam to slip through.
And if you’re the financial leader? That puts a bullseye on your back. Scammers know you have access to sensitive information and that you authorize payments. That fake invoice or urgent wire request? It’s aimed squarely at you.
Red Flags to Watch For
Here are some common red flags we see in social engineering scams:
- Emails with urgent language like “Act now!” or “Your account will be locked.”
- Slight misspellings in email addresses (e.g., “paypa1.com” instead of “paypal.com”).
- Requests for information that should never be shared over email, like Social Security numbers or bank logins.
- Attachments you weren’t expecting.
If something feels “off,” it probably is. Trust your gut and verify before you click.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Business
The good news? You don’t need a huge budget or a full IT department to start reducing your risk. Here’s what we recommend to our Lancaster-area clients:
- Train your team. A 15-minute refresher once a month can keep scams top of mind.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). That extra verification step stops a lot of attacks cold.
- Have a clear reporting process. Make it easy for employees to ask, “Is this real?” without feeling embarrassed.
- Do regular tests. Phishing simulations aren’t about shaming people; they’re about practicing safe habits.
Think of Security as a Team Sport
Protecting your business from social engineering scams isn’t just IT’s job or your job as the financial lead. It’s a shared responsibility, and the more you normalize talking about suspicious emails or calls, the safer your business becomes.
At ONE 2 ONE IT Solutions, we’ve helped plenty of businesses around Lancaster tighten up their defenses. And the businesses that do it best? They’re the ones where everyone from the receptionist to the CFO knows what to look for and feels confident raising a flag when something seems off.
Your Next Move
Start small. Share this post with your team. Have a quick conversation about the red flags above. And if you’re ready to take the next step, schedule a risk assessment or a phishing-awareness session with your IT partner, whether that’s us at ONE 2 ONE or someone else you trust.
Because when it comes to social engineering scams, the best defense isn’t just strong passwords or fancy firewalls. It’s a team that’s aware, alert, and ready to say, “Not today, scammer.”
Download Your Checklist
Complete the form below to get a copy of our ‘Stop Social Engineering Scams Before They Start’ checklist to share with your team.