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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
The Ohio Lottery has advised customers and retailers to be on the lookout for identity theft and fraud.
—Amanda Garrett, The Enquirer, 12 June 2024
Talbert said Pooley could receive a maximum 20-year sentence and a $250,000 fine for each of the wire fraud charges and a mandatory two-year sentence for each of the identity theft charges.
—Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 29 May 2024
That's in addition to notices informing you when your password or other personal information has been changed, with the aim of avoiding identity theft.
—Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024
Raphael Raymond Nunn, 58, of St. Paul, was found guilty of kidnapping, bank fraud and identity theft after robbing two women at gunpoint and stealing from another, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger said Friday.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 25 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for identity theft
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'identity theft.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1964, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near identity theft
Cite this Entry
“Identity theft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity%20theft. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
Legal Definition
identity theft
see theft
More from Merriam-Webster on identity theft
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about identity theft
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