identity theft

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identity theft" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically refers to a crime in which someone fraudulently obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves economic loss or other harm to the victim. For example, "The perpetrator of the identity theft was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Anxious about identity theft?

The New York Times - Books

And identity theft.

The New York Times

IDENTITY THEFT Then there are the risks of identity theft.

The New York Times

Q: I'm worried about identity theft.

The Guardian

(See Identity theft and invasion of privacy).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is identity theft going up or down?

The New York Times

Identity theft would have risen.

The New York Times

There's identity theft, there's security.

The New York Times

"This appears to be identity theft.

The Guardian

"It's like identity theft," Lieutenant Kodadek said.

The New York Times

"It's identity theft, pure and simple".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "identity theft", be specific about the type of information stolen and the potential consequences for the victim.

Common error

Avoid using "identity theft" loosely to describe situations that are merely privacy violations or data breaches without clear evidence of fraudulent use of personal information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identity theft" functions primarily as a noun, identifying a specific type of crime. It often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, such as "Is identity theft going up or down?" or "There's identity theft, there's security."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "identity theft" is a common and grammatically correct term referring to the crime of fraudulently obtaining and using another person's personal data. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, primarily in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. While alternatives like "identity fraud" and "theft of identity" exist, it's crucial to use the term accurately and be specific about the type of information involved and the potential consequences. Protecting against "identity theft" involves vigilance, strong security practices, and prompt action in case of a breach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identity fraud

Emphasizes the fraudulent aspect of assuming someone's identity.

theft of identity

A rephrasing that puts emphasis on the act of stealing.

personal data breach

Focuses on the security aspect and the compromise of personal information.

fraudulent impersonation

Highlights the deceptive act of pretending to be someone else.

financial identity theft

Specifies that the identity theft is for financial gain.

data compromise

Focuses on the fact that data has been compromised.

credit card fraud

A specific type of "identity theft" focused on credit cards.

account takeover

Emphasizes the act of gaining control of someone's account.

cyber impersonation

Stresses that the act is happening online or using digital means.

misappropriation of personal information

More formal language that indicates unlawful use of someone's personal information.

FAQs

What are some common types of "identity theft"?

Common types include credit card fraud, tax fraud, medical identity theft, and social security fraud.

How can I protect myself from "identity theft"?

You can protect yourself by regularly monitoring your credit reports, using strong passwords, and being cautious about sharing personal information online.

What should I do if I become a victim of "identity theft"?

Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), contact your bank and credit card companies, and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports.

What is the difference between "identity fraud" and "identity theft"?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, "identity theft" generally refers to the act of stealing someone's personal information, whereas identity fraud refers to the actual misuse of that information for financial gain or other fraudulent purposes.