Identity Theft: Definition, Examples, and Prevention

Meaning 1：stealing personal information (identity theft)

identity theft 🔊

/aɪˈdɛntɪti θɛft/

When someone steals your personal information to pretend to be you, usually to get money or break the law.

Worried person at computer with identity theft warning and fraudulent bill

stealing personal information 🔊

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/ˈstiːlɪŋ ˈpɜːrsənl ɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/

The act of illegally obtaining and using someone's personal data, such as their name, social security number, or credit card details, to commit fraud or other crimes.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'identitas' (sameness) + Old English 'þēofþ' (theft).

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a thief stealing your ID card to pretend to be you and access your bank accounts.

📖 Example

Identity theft is a serious crime, so always check your bank statements carefully after shopping online. 🔊 Identity theft is a serious crime, so always check your bank statements carefully after shopping online.

🔗 Collocations

commit identity theft – to carry out the act of stealing someone's personal information for fraud

prevent identity theft – to take measures to avoid the theft of one's personal data

identity theft protection – services or strategies designed to safeguard against identity theft

🔄 Synonyms

identity fraud (n.) – the use of someone's personal information without permission, typically for financial gain

impersonation (n.) – pretending to be another person, especially to deceive others for illegal purposes

account takeover (n.) – when a criminal gains access to a victim's accounts, such as bank or email, using stolen credentials

🚫 Antonyms

identity verification (n.) – the process of confirming that someone is who they claim to be

identity protection (n.) – measures to keep personal information secure from theft

🌱 Derivatives

identity thief (n.) – a person who commits identity theft

identity theft victim (n.) – a person whose identity has been stolen

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'identity theft' emerged in the 1990s with the rise of digital finance and internet use, becoming a formal legal term in the U.S. with the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998.