What crime involves obtaining someone's personal information for illegal purposes?

Identity theft is a crime that specifically involves acquiring someone's personal information, such as their Social Security number, credit card information, or bank details, with the intent to impersonate that person and commit fraud or other illegal acts. This process typically involves various deceptive tactics, such as phishing, hacking, or social engineering, to gain access to sensitive information.

The reason why identity theft is distinct and the correct answer is that it focuses directly on the personal information of individuals and the unauthorized use of that information for illegal gain. This can lead to serious financial consequences for the victim, as their credit history and financial reputation may be damaged by the thief's actions.

The other terms, while related in the realm of crime, do not specifically encompass the act of obtaining personal information for such purposes. Fraud pertains generally to deceitful practices for financial or personal gain, embezzlement is a form of theft that involves misappropriating funds entrusted to someone’s care, often in a workplace context, and cybercrime is a broader category that includes any criminal activity conducted via the internet, which may involve identity theft but is not confined to it.