What qualifies as "identity theft" legally?

The legal definition of "identity theft" primarily revolves around the unauthorized use of someone else's personal information. This involves taking information such as a person's name, Social Security number, or financial details without their permission for the purpose of committing fraud or other crimes. The key element here is the lack of consent; identity theft specifically addresses scenarios where an individual's personal information is exploited unlawfully, which can lead to various forms of financial and reputational harm to the victim.

In contrast, the other options involve consent or legitimate contexts wherein identity information is not being misused. For example, if personal information is used with consent, it does not fit the legal definition of identity theft. Similarly, borrowing someone’s identity typically implies some form of agreement or permission, rather than the illegal acquisition of information. Lastly, the legal use of another's information for legitimate purposes is also not identity theft, as the information is being used appropriately and legally, rather than deceitfully. Therefore, the option that accurately reflects the criminal nature of identity theft is the unauthorized use of someone else's personal information.