Which term is used for stealing someone’s identifying information with the intent to commit fraud?

The term for stealing someone’s identifying information with the intent to commit fraud is identity theft. This crime involves unlawfully acquiring personal details, such as Social Security numbers, credit card information, or other identifying data to impersonate another person. The primary aim is to commit fraudulent acts, such as making unauthorized purchases or opening accounts in the victim's name.

Identity theft specifically highlights the unauthorized access and misuse of someone else's personal information, distinguishing it from other financial crimes. Embezzlement, for example, typically involves misappropriating funds that one has been entrusted with, while fraud is a broader term that encompasses various deceptive practices aimed at securing an unlawful gain. Deceptive practice refers more generally to a range of acts where deception is utilized to mislead or defraud someone but does not specifically focus on the theft of identity. Thus, identity theft is the most accurate and precise term for this scenario.