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

When certain large companies experience data breaches, the costs can be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, as costs of solving the breach compound with costs to make customers whole through identity theft protection, class action lawsuits and more. —Mehb Khoja, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Aura Cost Plans from $9 to $25 per month, billed annually Standout features Protects against identity theft, financial fraud, spam calls, online theft, scam websites, viruses and malware. —Brian Sloan, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025

Since its launch in 2000, the IC3 has handled complaints spanning a wide range of cybercrimes, including hacking, online extortion, and identity theft. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for identity theft

• bereft
• cleft
• deft
• heft
• left

Legal Definition

identity theft

see theft