SOCIAL-ENGINEERING-DEFENSE5 MIN READ
The Pretext Ladder
Explain the pretext sequence and identify where to interrupt it with verification.
A pretext becomes dangerous when it crosses from story into action. Trace the ladder. How a pretext turns into compliance Familiar frame known team, vendor, or workflow believable Borrowed authority title, badge, caller ID, or detail pressure rises Time squeeze cutoff, outage, customer waiting thinking narrows Sensitive action money, data, access, MFA, door risk peaks Known-good callback trusted route outside the request risk drops Highest-risk action step
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