Pretext Call
A fraudulent phone call in which the caller uses a fabricated scenario (pretext) to manipulate the recipient into divulging information or taking an action.
Also known as: pretexting call, vishing pretext, social engineering call
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
A pretext call (also called pretexting or a vishing pretext) is a social engineering technique in which an attacker constructs a convincing false narrative and calls a target to exploit it. Common pretexts include posing as a bank fraud investigator, IT support, a government official, a courier company, or a survey researcher. The pretext is designed to create a logical reason for the target to provide sensitive information, transfer funds, grant system access, or take another action beneficial to the attacker.
Effective pretext calls use open-source intelligence (OSINT) gathered from social media, public records, and corporate websites to include accurate personal details that make the caller seem legitimate. Caller ID spoofing reinforces the deception by displaying the genuine number of the organisation being impersonated.
Pretext calls are the voice component of a wider social engineering campaign and may be combined with phishing emails, SMS messages, or in-person visits. Training staff to pause, verify independently (calling back on published numbers), and follow established verification protocols significantly reduces susceptibility.
Examples
- A caller identifies themselves as a fraud investigator from the victim's bank, references recent genuine transactions to establish credibility, and asks the victim to transfer funds to a 'safe account.' The caller is a fraudster.