identity theft

Identity theft refers to the fraudulent acquisition and misuse of an individual's personal information, typically for economic gain or other malicious purposes. It involves stealing and using someone's identifying information, such as their name, social security number, bank account details, or credit card information, without their consent. This stolen identity is then exploited to carry out various criminal activities like fraud, financial theft, or unauthorized transactions, leading to potential financial loss, reputational damage, and other negative consequences for the victim.