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.
The firm’s services include disputing unfair or inaccurate credit report items with the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies, sending creditor intervention letters and providing up to $1M in identity theft insurance. Victor Rosario, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025 These services monitor your financial accounts and credit report for any signs of fraudulent activity, alerting you to potential identity theft early on. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2025 The safeguards are important, the lawmakers said, because identity theft or bankruptcy can mean a loss of a security clearance or the end of a service member’s career. Melissa Chan, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025 In 2024, the IRS received nearly 300,000 reports of identity theft, which the agency estimates led to $5.5 billion in tax fraud. Brian Sloan, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Identity theft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity%20theft. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

identity theft

see theft

More from Merriam-Webster on identity theft

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!