What does obtaining someone's personal identifying information without consent constitute?

Obtaining someone's personal identifying information without their consent constitutes financial fraud because it often involves the unauthorized use of that information for financial gain, such as obtaining credit, loans, or other financial benefits in the victim's name. This action typically violates both civil and criminal laws designed to protect individuals' privacy and financial security.

The act of acquiring private information without permission undermines trust and can lead to identity theft, which is a serious crime. Laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and various state statutes are in place to prevent and penalize these actions, highlighting the severe legal implications of engaging in such behavior.

While there are other potential consequences of taking personal identifying information without consent—like ethical violations or misunderstandings of privacy laws—these do not capture the primary legal ramifications related to financial misconduct. An acceptable business practice would never involve obtaining personal identifying information without consent, as it contradicts fundamental ethical standards and legal requirements governing privacy and data protection.