identity theft

noun

: the illegal use of someone else's personal information (such as a Social Security number) especially in order to obtain money or credit

Examples of identity theft in a Sentence

How can we protect ourselves against identity theft?

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Use an identity theft protection service: Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. —

Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024 However, this tier doesn’t offer big-time identity theft protection; that requires a $50 upgrade to the Advanced tier. —

PCMAG, 27 Nov. 2024 This type of information, while not a direct financial target, can serve as a key piece for identity theft schemes, such as filing fraudulent unemployment claims—an issue that saw a surge during the pandemic. —

Lars Daniel, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 Porter, who does not have a nursing license, was charged with identity theft, false impersonation and grand theft, the department said. —

Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for identity theft

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of identity theft was in 1964

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Identity theft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity%20theft. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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