Any act of stealing defines which of the following terms?

• A. Fraud
• B. Embezzlement
• C. Larceny
• D. Theft

Answer: (D)

Stealing in general is described by the term theft, which covers taking someone else’s property without permission with the intent to permanently deprive them. This is the broad umbrella under which all forms of stealing fall. Larceny is a specific type of theft involving the trespassory taking of personal property. Embezzlement is theft that occurs when someone misappropriates property they were entrusted with. Fraud involves deception to obtain property or money. Since the question asks for the broad term that defines any act of stealing, theft is the best fit because it encompasses all these forms of taking.