For identity theft to occur, what must a defendant knowingly obtain?

In the context of identity theft, the crux of the offense is the unauthorized acquisition of someone else's identifying information. This includes personal details such as name, social security number, bank account information, or other data that can be used to impersonate the individual for fraudulent purposes.

This type of crime specifically revolves around the exploitation of another's identity to obtain goods, services, or other benefits, which is why obtaining identifying information is the foundational element of identity theft. The focus is on the unauthorized use of that information to deceive or conduct fraud.

While the other options mention various forms of property or documents, they do not encapsulate the essence of identity theft, which is primarily centered on gaining access to the personal identifying information of another person. This is crucial as it enables the perpetrator to engage in further unlawful activities, such as opening bank accounts or credit accounts in the victim's name.