identity theft
eye-DEN-tih-tee THEFT
/aɪˈdɛntɪti θɛft/
The fraudulent acquisition and use of a person's private identifying information, usually for financial gain.
A crime where the 'victim' is the person whose identity is stolen, even if the financial loss is borne by a bank.
The story behind the word. The term gained prominence in the 1990s as the internet made it easier to access personal records. While stealing a name is old, the 'theft' of a digital identity—a collection of numbers and data points—is a uniquely modern phenomenon.
Word relationships
- identity fraud: Often used interchangeably, though 'theft' is the act of taking and 'fraud' is the act of using.
Collocations
- victim of identity theft
- prevent identity theft
- report identity theft
Example sentences
- "To prevent identity theft, never share your Social Security number over an unsecured Wi-Fi connection." A warning from a bank.
- "Identity theft remains one of the fastest-growing crimes in the digital age, affecting millions of people each year." A government statistic.
Memory hook
Stealing the 'ID' (identity) to commit 'theft'. Someone else living as you.
When not to use
Don't use it for just stealing a credit card; it usually implies stealing a whole persona (SSN, name, address) to open new accounts.
Fun facts
- In some cases of identity theft, victims have been arrested for crimes committed by the person who stole their identity.
Explore more words
phishing, privacy, embezzlement, data protection, larceny, plagiarize
Also appears in
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