Which of the following is an action that might be considered "shoulder surfing"?

Shoulder surfing refers specifically to the act of observing someone’s private information, typically by looking over their shoulder, hence the name. This behavior is often associated with settings where sensitive data, such as personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, or other confidential information, is being entered or displayed.

In the context of the options provided, watching someone enter their PIN at an ATM is a classic example of shoulder surfing. It involves directly viewing someone else's sensitive data in a public or semi-public setting, which poses a significant risk of identity theft or unauthorized access to personal accounts.

The other options involve different forms of information gathering that do not fit the definition of shoulder surfing. For instance, reading personal emails without authorization involves direct access to a private account, while gathering information through a public records request is a lawful means of obtaining information. Collecting discarded credit offers is an act of retrieving information from trash, which is not considered shoulder surfing but rather practices related to dumpster diving or identity theft.