[eric_h]

> Identify theft is a kind of fraud or perhaps libel, but it's certainly not conventional theft.

there is some argument that it is conventional theft. It does, essentially, render the original unfit for use until considerable time is spent repairing it.

[emn13]

Sure, if you squint just the right way, and ignore the fact that your identity isn't actually gone only partially vandalized. It's theft the same way your neighbor steals your house when he builds an ugly shed that blocks your view.

It really isn't the same thing. It's vaguely related, and that's fine, but pretending the two meanings are identical in an analogy (you wouldn't steal a car?) is still disingenuous.