What is "pretexting" and what does it have to do with identity theft?
Pretexting is the practice of getting your personal information under false pretenses. Pretexters sell your information to people who may use it to get credit in your name, to steal your assets, or to investigate or sue you. Pretexting is against the law.
Pretexters use a variety of tactics to get your personal information. For example, a pretexter may call, claim he's from a research firm, and ask you for your name, address, birth date, and social security number. When the pretexter has the information he wants, he uses it to call your financial institution. He pretends to be you or someone with authorized access to your account. He might claim that he's forgotten his checkbook and needs information about his account. In this way, the pretexter may be able to obtain other personal information about you such as your bank and credit card account numbers, information in your credit report, and the existence and size of your savings and investment portfolios.
Keep in mind that some information about you may be a matter of public record, such as whether you own a home, pay your real estate taxes, or have ever filed for bankruptcy. It is not pretexting for another person to collect this kind of information.
By law, it's illegal for anyone to:
Hot Links
Use Our Materials In Your Community
The President's Identity Theft Task Force
2006 Identity Theft Survey Report
Test Your Knowledge about Identity Theft – Take the OnGuard Online Quiz
Key Publications
Taking Charge: What To Do if Your Identity is Stolen (PDF 1MB)
Safeguarding Your Child's Future (PDF 1MB)
To Buy or Not To Buy: Identity Theft Spawns New Products and Services To Help Minimize Risk (PDF 229KB)How To Plan and Host Protect Your Identity Days Kit (PDF 6MB)
Information Compromise and the Risk of Identity Theft: Guidance for Your Business
(PDF 152KB)
Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business (PDF 3.47MB)