What distinguishes retail fraud - price switching?

The correct answer focuses on the act of altering or switching a price tag to pay less, which directly characterizes the behavior associated with retail fraud - price switching. This involves a deceptive practice where an individual takes a lower-priced tag from one item and attaches it to a more expensive item, allowing them to purchase the latter at a reduced price. This manipulation represents a form of theft because it defrauds the retailer out of the rightful price they intended for the product.

Understanding this specific act is crucial because it highlights the intentional effort to deceive for financial gain, distinguishing it from other forms of theft such as shoplifting or using stolen credit cards, which involve different methods of unlawful appropriation. In contrast, the other options provided do not focus on the act of price manipulation specifically, making them irrelevant in the context of retail fraud - price switching.