Pretexting Resources

The American Heritage Dictionary defined pretext (v. pretexting) as " An effort or strategy intended to conceal something." The word can also be defined as "An ostensible or professed purpose; an excuse."

The U.S. Government provides information about pretexting. The site defines pretexting and explains how it is used in identity theft. The site also provide useful tips to prevent this practice.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is taking steps to expand privacy rules and protect consumers from the practice of pretexting. The FCC is now requiring telephone and wireless carriers to increase security measures around phone records.

Investigators frequently make use of the practice know as pretexting to gain information about people they are following. The practice is brought into question after the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act made pretexting a federal offense. The law only mentions pretexting as being illegal when extracting financial information, investigators use it for different purposes.

Gov Track provides an overview of H.R. 4709: Telephone Records and Privacy Protection Act of 2006. The site tracks important dates in the legislative process that will help prevent the practice of pretexting, such as the day it was scheduled for debate, when the House and Senate passed the bill, and when it was signed into law by the President.

The Electronic Privacy Center (EPIC) provides a transcript of Marc Rotenberg's testimony made before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on the importance of protecting phone records from the practice of pretexting. Marc Rotenberg serves as executive Director for EPIC.

The U.S. Government provides information to consumers about the dangers of identity theft and the practice of pretexting. The site gives tips to prevent identity theft and practice safe consumer transactions.

The Federal Trade Commission provides information and tips to help protect consumer's personal assets. The site provides information about pretexting and the laws put in place to protect consumers from the practice.

Tech Republic provides information about the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its efforts to prevent consumer data theft. The FCC focuses on preventing pretexting by requiring telephone and wireless carriers to increase safeguards around personal phone records.

A video about the House's debate surrounding pretexting and the bill HR. 936: Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act (2007) appears in the United States House of Representatives video archive. Panel members debating the bill and pretexting include Lydia Parnes, Thomas Navin, Marc Rotenberg, Walter McCormik, The Honorable Steve Largent, and David Einhorn.