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.
The Federal Trade Commission identifies unauthorized bank withdrawals, unfamiliar medical bills and fraudulent tax filings among the warning signs of identity theft. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 After allegedly killing Jett, prosecutors say, Von Ferdinand committed real estate fraud and theft on her estate, including grand theft, identity theft, forgery and filing false documents with losses over $500,000. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Still, the department intends to send letters to current driver license or identification card holders potentially affected that will offer complimentary identity and credit monitoring services and $1 million identity theft insurance for 1 year. — Miami Herald, 19 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 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 27 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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