What social engineering variant is indicated by unsolicited phone calls seeking sensitive information for a credit report?

Vishing is a form of social engineering that specifically involves voice communication, typically over the phone. In this scenario, the unsolicited phone calls are made with the intent of tricking individuals into providing sensitive information, such as personal details needed for a credit report. The goal of vishing is to exploit trust and gain access to confidential information through deception.

This technique preys on the victim's urgency or concern regarding their financial status, leading them to inadvertently divulge information to the perpetrator. It is important to recognize that while other social engineering tactics like spear phishing or whaling involve digital communication (emails for example), vishing uniquely focuses on voice interactions, making it distinct from those methods.