Identity theft is the deliberate use of someone else’s identity, usually as a method to gain a financial advantage or obtain credit and other benefits in the other person’s name, and perhaps to the other person’s disadvantage or loss.

The person whose identity has been assumed may suffer adverse consequences, especially if they are held responsible for the perpetrator’s actions. Identity theft occurs when someone uses another’s personal identifying information like their name, identifying number or credit card number without their permission to commit fraud or other crimes.

The term identity theft was coined in 1964. Since that time, the definition of identity theft has been statutorily prescribed in the UK as the theft of personally identifiable information, generally including a person’s name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number, bank account or credit card numbers, PIN numbers, electronic signatures, fingerprints, passwords, or any other information that can be used to access a person’s financial resources.