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
Example Sentences
How can we protect ourselves against identity theft?
Recent Examples on the Web Sometimes a scam may result in identity theft or involuntary involvement in money laundering. 
Bart Ziegler, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Banks and credit unions made more than 1.4 million supspicious activity reports in 2021, flagging transactions that might suggest anything from identity theft to terrorist financing. Clare Hymes, CBS News, 1 Sep. 2022 Prosecutors have suggested the case is about more than identity theft. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 Taxpayers whose tax returns were flagged for potential identity theft were instructed by the IRS to call the TPP line to verify their identity. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2022 He was convicted of 17 counts, mostly identity theft, and sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison. New York Times, 4 Aug. 2022 Saul is in full control now, setting up a thorough, relentless identity theft scam with Jeff and Jeff’s friend Buddy. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2022 Because identity theft and falsely gaining access under legitimate user credentials and their associated privileges and entitlements has become rampant. Art Gilliland, Forbes, 15 July 2022 Officers further examined the book bag and found a small amount of marijuana, miscellaneous documents and various credit cards that may have been involved in identity theft. cleveland, 19 June 2022 See More
Bart Ziegler, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Banks and credit unions made more than 1.4 million supspicious activity reports in 2021, flagging transactions that might suggest anything from identity theft to terrorist financing. Clare Hymes, CBS News, 1 Sep. 2022 Prosecutors have suggested the case is about more than identity theft. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 Taxpayers whose tax returns were flagged for potential identity theft were instructed by the IRS to call the TPP line to verify their identity. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2022 He was convicted of 17 counts, mostly identity theft, and sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison. New York Times, 4 Aug. 2022 Saul is in full control now, setting up a thorough, relentless identity theft scam with Jeff and Jeff’s friend Buddy. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2022 Because identity theft and falsely gaining access under legitimate user credentials and their associated privileges and entitlements has become rampant. Art Gilliland, Forbes, 15 July 2022 Officers further examined the book bag and found a small amount of marijuana, miscellaneous documents and various credit cards that may have been involved in identity theft. cleveland, 19 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1964, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
identity theft
see theft