Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) are prime targets for cybercriminals because they handle sensitive borrower information and financial transactions daily. While traditional cybersecurity measures like strong passwords and firewalls are important, the human element—social engineering—is often the weakest link.
Social engineering is the practice of manipulating individuals into revealing confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. This course is designed to help MLOs recognize social engineering tactics, understand how these attacks are carried out, and implement strategies to protect themselves, their borrowers, and their companies.
By the end of this course, you will be able to identify common scams, understand the psychology behind social engineering attacks, and respond confidently to suspicious communications or requests.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course you'll be able to:

• The who, what, and why of social engineering—and why MLOs are prime targets
• How to recognize the most common attack types, including phishing, vishing, smishing, pretexting, and baiting
• The psychological triggers attackers exploit—like urgency, authority, and fear—so you can spot them before they work
• How to evaluate suspicious messages and requests with confidence
• Practical strategies to safeguard borrower data and prevent fraud
• Exactly what to do when something feels off, including how to follow your company's reporting procedures
• Real-world scams that have targeted mortgage professionals—and the lessons learned