What is one key characteristic of synthetic identity theft?

Synthetic identity theft is characterized by the creation of a new identity by combining real and fictitious information. This often includes the use of real Social Security numbers, possibly from individuals who are unaware, combined with other fictitious details such as names, addresses, and dates of birth. This combination allows criminals to create seemingly legitimate identities that can be used for various fraudulent activities, such as applying for credit, loans, or other financial services.

The option that states it may include completely made-up personal information accurately reflects the nature of synthetic identity theft, where the identity is not based on any actual person but rather constructed from various data points. This characteristic makes it distinct from other forms of identity theft, where real personal information is usually exploited.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the full scope of synthetic identity theft. The claim that it can only involve individuals with poor credit overlooks the broader range of victims who may have good credit used as part of the scheme. The suggestion that it primarily affects corporate identities misrepresents the focus of synthetic identity theft, which is usually more concerned with personal identities rather than corporate ones. Lastly, stating that it does not involve any real personal information fails to recognize that criminals often use real data to build these synthetic identities.