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Pretext Calls Commonly Used to Obtain Personal and Corporate Data
A recent article indicates that pretext calls, phone calls made under false pretences to trick an individual or company into releasing personal or corporate information, are an investigative tool commonly used by data brokers or independent contractors in the business world. The article reveals that customers who purchase information such as phone records include law offices, repossession companies, financial institutions, collection agencies, law enforcement agencies, and other private investigation and research companies. Such customers may use the information to help them locate debtors, find witnesses, or research alibis, for example.
While pretexting is not specifically illegal in many places today, it is considered unethical and may subject individuals or companies to civil fines and/or penalties. Another recent article, however, reveals that California Attorney General Bill Lockyer may soon file criminal charges under existing California laws against officials at Hewlett Packard, a California-based global technology company, and outside contractors who were involved in falsely obtaining the private phone records of board directors and journalists in attempt to track down the source of boardroom leaks. Bill Lockyer argues that the tactics used by Hewlett Packard, which included gaining access to computer records containing personal information and falsely obtaining people’s identities, are a crime.
For a copy of the articles, visit:
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/editorial/15511454.htm