Tennessee Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT an example of pretexting?

1. Finding employment information

2. Identifying the subject

3. Conducting undercover surveillance

4. Getting travel details

The correct answer is: Conducting undercover surveillance

Pretexting involves obtaining information under false pretenses, typically by impersonating someone else or creating a scenario that allows for the collection of sensitive information. Conducting undercover surveillance does not fit this definition because it involves observing someone in a way that does not rely on deception regarding one's identity or purpose in the same way that pretexting does. In undercover surveillance, a private investigator may observe subjects without necessarily fabricating a backstory to gain access or information from them. This approach relies more on observation and recording rather than a deceitful manipulation of interaction, making it distinct from the other options listed, which inherently involve some level of deception to extract information. The other choices pertain to situations where pretexting is employed, as they involve scenarios where an individual might misrepresent themselves or their intentions to gather specific information from the target.