What role does social engineering play in payment fraud?

The role of social engineering in payment fraud is fundamentally about manipulation tactics used by fraudsters to gain unauthorized access to confidential information. This technique involves exploiting human psychology rather than relying solely on technological vulnerabilities. By manipulating individuals through methods such as phishing, pretexting, or even in-person deception, attackers can trick victims into divulging sensitive details like passwords, account numbers, or other personal information. This gained information can then be used to carry out fraudulent transactions or unauthorized access to financial accounts.

The other options describe roles that do not align with the true nature of social engineering. For instance, enhancing security measures or preventing unauthorized transactions involves protective strategies and technologies rather than manipulative tactics. Additionally, social engineering typically increases costs associated with fraud rather than lowering expenses related to payment processing. Understanding how social engineering functions is crucial for developing strategies to combat payment fraud effectively.