Which term describes the act of obtaining financial benefits using stolen information?

The term that best describes the act of obtaining financial benefits using stolen information is identity theft. This concept refers specifically to the unauthorized use of someone else's personal information, such as Social Security numbers, credit card information, or bank account details, to commit fraud or other crimes for financial gain.

Identity theft often involves impersonating the victim to access their financial resources, open new accounts, or make purchases without their knowledge or consent. The characterized actions fall under the legal definition of criminal behavior and have severe consequences for the victims whose information has been misappropriated.

The other terms have distinct meanings that do not directly address the act of using stolen personal information. Fraudulent behavior is a broader category encompassing various deceitful actions aimed at financial gain, financial exploitation pertains more to vulnerable individuals being taken advantage of typically by those in positions of trust, and credit abuse refers specifically to the misuse of credit without necessarily involving stolen information. Thus, the most precise definition when relating to the act described is indeed identity theft.