What is the term for knowingly providing false information in a professional context?

In a professional context, knowingly providing false information is best described as fraud. This term encompasses deceitful practices intended to secure unfair or unlawful gain. Fraud involves a deliberate act where misrepresentations are made with intent to deceive another party, typically for financial benefit or to gain an advantage over others.

While misrepresentation refers to the act of giving false or misleading information, it does not always imply the intent to deceive for personal gain, which is a critical aspect of fraud. Negligence pertains to a failure to exercise appropriate care, leading to unintended harm, and does not involve the deliberate provision of false information. Unprofessional conduct is a broader term that can encompass various types of unethical behavior but does not specifically capture the intent and deceit that fraud entails.

Thus, in the context of providing false information with knowledge and intent, fraud is the most accurate and applicable term.