Embezzlement refers specifically to the fraudulent appropriation of property or funds that have been entrusted to an individual's care. This typically occurs in a situation where the person has legal access to the resources, such as an employee misappropriating money from their employer. The key element of embezzlement is the betrayal of trust, as the individual is expected to manage or safeguard the property or funds responsibly. This distinction is critical; embezzlement involves a breach of fiduciary duty as opposed to outright theft, which is when items are taken without permission or consent.
Other choices describe different criminal activities. The theft of money from a bank account is more straightforward stealing, while taking items from a store without payment constitutes shoplifting. Intentionally damaging property relates to vandalism. Each of those definitions lacks the element of trust or responsibility that defines embezzlement. Therefore, understanding the context of entrusted care is essential in differentiating embezzlement from other forms of theft or property crime.