以上两个术语均用于指侵犯他人财产的犯罪，由于形式相似，以往有不少人错误地将它们混淆为同一术语。实际在普通法中，它们有较明显的差异：offense against property应为“侵犯动产罪”，是一传统术语，其基本上只限于指针对动产“personal property” 之犯罪行为，罪名包括有 larceny, embezzlement， cheating，cheating by false pretense，robbery，receiving stolen goods， malicious mischief，forgery, uttering forged 和 instruments[1]等。相比之下，crime against property则是较现代的用语，其范畴更广， 除动产之外，还包括了侵犯不动产（real property)的犯罪行为， 故译为“侵犯财产罪”，crime against property可包括诸如burglary， theft和arson等犯罪[2]，尽管arson可能导致人身伤害或死亡，但其仍被称为“财产犯罪”（property crime)[3]。

[1]“ A crime against another's personal property. ”Cf. Bryan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 1109, West Group (1999).

[2] "Although the term crime against property, a common term in modem usage, includes crimes against real property，the term offense against property is traditionally restricted to personal property. ” Id. at p. 1109.

[3]“Examples includes burglary, theft, and arson (even though arson may result in injury or death). ” Id. at p. 379.