Here are a few examples of social engineering frauds targeting parents:

Fake School Notifications Scammers send emails or text messages posing as the child’s school, informing parents of urgent issues such as unpaid fees or disciplinary actions.

Tactics: Parents are asked to click on a link to make immediate payments or log in to the school's portal. The fake link leads to a phishing site, where scammers steal login credentials or payment information.

Kidnapping or Emergency Scams: Scammers contact parents, claiming their child has been kidnapped or is in some form of emergency, demanding immediate payment or personal information to "resolve" the situation.

Tactics: The scammers play on parents' emotions, creating a sense of urgency. They ask for money to be transferred quickly or for personal data like the child's school information, which can later be used for further fraud.

Fake Childcare or Tutoring Services: Scammers pose as childcare or tutoring services offering help for parents, especially those looking for academic or extracurricular support for their children.

Tactics: Parents are asked to provide personal or financial details to book services. Once payment is made or data is shared, the scammers disappear, leaving parents without the promised services.

Social Media Scams: Scammers create fake social media accounts mimicking the profiles of their children or their children’s friends, sending messages asking for money to handle a "crisis."

Tactics: Parents receive a message claiming the child needs money for an emergency or urgent expense. They are asked to send money immediately, often via wire transfer or prepaid cards.

Fake Fundraisers or Crowdfunding Scams: Scammers set up fake crowdfunding campaigns, pretending to raise money for a school project, class trip, or a medical emergency for another parent’s child.

Tactics: Parents are encouraged to donate and provide financial details through fraudulent crowdfunding platforms or payment links, leading to identity theft or loss of funds.

These scams rely on the natural concern and responsibility parents have for their children, making them highly effective.