What does identity theft involve?

Identity theft fundamentally involves the unauthorized use of someone else's personal information, such as their name, Social Security number, or financial details, primarily for financial gain. This can manifest in various forms, such as opening credit accounts in the victim's name, making unauthorized purchases, or even obtaining loans based on wrongly acquired identities. The act of stealing and using this sensitive information is what characterizes identity theft, making it a serious crime with significant repercussions for victims.

While the other options mention concepts related to crime or fraud, they do not accurately define identity theft. For instance, the theft of physical property concerns tangible items, while using fake identities to commit fraud typically describes fraud cases rather than identity theft specifically. The illegal sale of personal data may involve privacy breaches but does not encapsulate the act of identity theft itself, which is primarily about the unauthorized use of someone's personal information. Hence, option B is the most precise and encompassing definition of identity theft.