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.
Criminals could potentially use that information to create convincing medical scams, impersonate patients or commit identity theft. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 To protect against identity theft, Maimon recommends checking your credit report often and signing up for identity theft protection services. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Frankel was convicted in March 2026 of grand larceny and identity theft. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for identity theft

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Browse Nearby Words

identity principle
identity theft
ideo-
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Cite this Entry

“Identity theft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity%20theft. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

identity theft

see also:
theft

More from Merriam-Webster on identity theft

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about identity theft

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