identity theft

1. the fraudulent appropriation and use of someone's identifying or personal data or documents, as a credit card.

identity theft

noun

1. the crime of setting up and using bank accounts and credit facilities fraudulently in another person's name without his or her knowledge

Word History and Origins

Origin of identity theft¹

1995–2000

Example Sentences

The company, founded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when people were trying to locate and stay connected to loved ones, has added more services such as roadside assistance and identity theft protection.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In another case, a Chinese national named Heng Yin pleaded guilty in August to wire fraud and identity theft charges in a federal court in Kentucky, and is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This database access could expose Americans to widespread identity theft and potentially require the government to reissue new Social Security numbers to every American at enormous cost.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Yes, she says, they committed fraud, but not identity theft.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Brown was indicted Wednesday on 21 counts of wire fraud, transactional money laundering and aggravated identity theft.

Read more on Los Angeles Times