pretexting

/ ˈpriːtɛkstɪŋ /

noun

1. the practice of deceiving individuals into surrendering personal information for fraudulent purposes

Example Sentences

Spies, private investigators, criminals, and even some journalists have long used false identities to trick people into providing information, a practice known as pretexting.

From The New Yorker

The Internet made pretexting easier.

From The New Yorker

As a result of this pretexting, the investigation subsequently identified a fifteen year old who was arrested after he clicked a link to specific web page in the spoof-site that was sent to his anonymous social media account.

From Forbes

Often the technique of "pretexting" was used.

From BBC

The deal capped a tumultuous decade for the company that included the 2006 "pretexting" scandal, which led to the resignation of Chairwoman Patricia Dunn.

From New York Times