ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

Which of the following items can be involved in a second degree theft?

1. Cash only

2. Debit/credit cards

3. Stolen pets

4. Personal belongings

The correct answer is: Debit/credit cards

Second-degree theft generally involves the unlawful taking of property that is valued at a certain monetary threshold but is not classified as first-degree theft, which usually involves more serious offenses or higher-value items. Debit and credit cards fall into this category because they represent not just the physical card but also access to funds and personal financial information. When someone unlawfully takes a debit or credit card, they are committing a theft that can lead to unauthorized transactions, identity theft, and other financial crimes. This reflects the severity of the offense, as the impact extends beyond simply taking an item; it affects the financial security of the victim and may create significant financial repercussions for them. In contrast, other items listed such as cash, stolen pets, or personal belongings may not meet the criteria for second-degree theft depending on their value and the context of the theft, such as whether it is classified as a more severe crime or if there are mitigating circumstances that affect the degree of theft. Therefore, the involvement of debit and credit cards is specifically significant in the context of modern theft laws, shaping them into a more sophisticated category of crime.