Identity theft refers to which of the following?

Identity theft specifically refers to the acquisition of confidential personal information without consent, enabling a perpetrator to impersonate someone else for fraudulent purposes. This often involves stealing sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, credit card information, or bank account details, which can then be used to commit various forms of fraud, like opening new credit accounts or making unauthorized purchases.

The essence of identity theft lies in the unauthorized access and misuse of another person's private information, which clearly correlates with the definition provided in the correct answer. This understanding is crucial for financial crimes investigators, as they must focus on preventing and responding to these types of violations effectively.