What type of crime does the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act address?

The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act specifically addresses identity theft, which is the crime of obtaining and using someone else’s personal information, such as their name, Social Security number, or financial information, without their permission, typically for the purpose of committing fraud or other crimes. This act was established to create measures to prevent identity theft and to provide a framework for victims to report such crimes and recover from them. The act aims to provide legal protections and outlines penalties for offenders, thereby emphasizing the seriousness of the crime of identity theft in a digital age where personal information can be easily misappropriated.

The other options, while related to fraudulent activities, do not reflect the specific focus of this legislation. Fraud is a broader category that can include various forms of deceit for financial gain, but the Identity Theft Act zeroes in on the unauthorized use of personal identifying information. Money laundering involves concealing the origins of illegally obtained money, and embezzlement is the act of wrongfully taking or misappropriating funds placed in one's trust. Each of these crimes is distinct from identity theft, which is why the focus of the act is on the latter.