Final answer:
Pretexting is true and involves impersonating another individual to fraudulently gain access to sensitive personal information, which can lead to severe financial consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pretexting is a deceptive tactic wherein an individual falsely poses as someone else to illicitly acquire unauthorized access to personal information. This deceptive practice is frequently employed in various types of identity theft or True-name Fraud scenarios, where malevolent actors unlawfully exploit an individual's personal identification, credit details, or account information.
Once in possession of such sensitive data, perpetrators can engage in fraudulent activities, such as depleting savings accounts, making substantial purchases, and inflicting considerable financial harm on the unsuspecting victim. The insidious nature of pretexting underscores the importance of vigilance and safeguarding personal information to mitigate the risks associated with identity theft, emphasizing the need for robust security measures and public awareness to counteract such fraudulent practices.