✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

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.
Given that malicious clones can steal personal information, intercept SMS verification codes and even impersonate users in chats, identity theft protection provides an additional safety net. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Nov. 2025 The former owner of a Milwaukee prenatal care company that was supposed to help low-income pregnant women, mothers and babies has been found guilty of 20 federal felony charges, including healthcare fraud, identity theft, paying kickbacks and obstructing a fraud investigation. Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 21 Nov. 2025 Deputies arrested 21-year-old Keny Castaneda-Tellez on suspicion of identity theft, credit card theft, unlawful use of a credit card, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, along with child cruelty. Tim Fang, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025 Phishing emails can often have real consequences for people who give scammers their information, including identity theft. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 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 28 Nov. 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!