What is identity theft?

Identity theft is fundamentally defined as a crime that involves impersonation for financial gain. In this scenario, a perpetrator obtains and uses someone else's personal information—such as their name, Social Security number, credit card details, or bank account information—without permission. This illicit act allows the thief to commit various fraudulent activities, including taking out loans, applying for credit cards, or making unauthorized purchases, all under the victim's name, leading to financial loss and damage to the victim's credit.

The scope of identity theft often extends beyond just financial issues; it can also affect the victim's medical and legal records, which complicates the consequences even further. However, the primary essence is about financial gain through deceitful representation of oneself as someone else. This makes it crucial for individuals and organizations to implement robust security measures to protect against unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The other options, while related to aspects of security and data management, do not accurately capture the essence of identity theft. They focus either on specific contexts, such as accessing medical records or marketing strategies, which do not encapsulate the broader definition of identity theft as a financial crime.