What constitutes 'identity theft'?

'Identity theft' is defined as the unauthorized use of someone else's personal information. This definition captures the essence of the crime, which involves taking advantage of another person's identifying information, such as their name, Social Security number, or financial account details, without their consent. This illegal act typically aims to commit fraud or deception, whether for financial gain or other malicious purposes. By using someone else's personal information without authorization, the perpetrator compromises the victim’s identity and can damage their financial and personal standing.

In contrast, using one’s own personal information does not fall under identity theft, as that action is legitimate. The stealing of tangible property pertains to a different category of crime, such as theft, and does not involve personal identification issues. Lastly, identity verification is a process used to establish an individual’s identity and should not be confused with criminal identity theft, which involves acts of fraud and deception.