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
No service can prevent every kind of identity theft.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Such attacks range from spreading malware and executing identity theft scams to producing deepfake videos and launching ransomware attacks, according to cybersecurity experts.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
IdentityForce has plans that come with dark web scanning and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
In another criminal complaint, which also names the couple, another 16 people are charged with insurance fraud, identity theft and conspiracy to commit health insurance fraud.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for identity theft
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.
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Such attacks range from spreading malware and executing identity theft scams to producing deepfake videos and launching ransomware attacks, according to cybersecurity experts.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
IdentityForce has plans that come with dark web scanning and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
In another criminal complaint, which also names the couple, another 16 people are charged with insurance fraud, identity theft and conspiracy to commit health insurance fraud.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for identity theft
Cite this Entry
“Identity theft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity%20theft. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
