Live 'Hacking' Clarified as Pretexting

1up reports on a clarification of last week's Xbox Live security scare. Though there are no technical problems with the service, there is a service problem with the service: account information was obtained via pretexting. Essentially, social engineers called up Xbox Live tech support and lied, saying they were users of certain accounts. Thanks to the sloppy training and privacy consciousness of Live's customer service operators, information was given out that allowed these pretexters onto accounts. "That probably means calling in to deal with customer support about the nitty gritty of your Xbox Live account will become both much more secure and potentially a bit more time-consuming and annoying. That may be the necessary price for full security, although as long as we're dealing with humans (and information that can slip into others' hands), there's sure to be the occasional case of successful pre-texting."

Comments

Re:Lying or Fraud, not pretexting

[moore.dustin]

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, steal your assets, or to investigate or sue you. Pretexting is against the law. Source.

Lying and Fraud are broad terms, pretexting adds clarity as to the specifics of the crime. It is the same as saying Wire Fraud or Check Fraud.

It does not need to be either or, it can be both. Your suggestion only adds a nonconstructive, ambiguous element that will only serve to confuse, not clarify.