pretexting

noun

pre·text·ing | \ ˈprē-ˌtek-stiŋ

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Definition of pretexting

: the practice of presenting oneself as someone else in order to obtain private information

Examples of pretexting in a Sentence

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The practice of obtaining customer call records by posing as the customer is known as pretexting. — Associated Press, WIRED, "Cingular Sues PI for Pretexting," 29 Sep. 2006

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pretexting.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of pretexting was in 1992

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