Counterfeiting involves altering legal documents with the intent to defraud, often for financial gain or identity theft. Forgery is similar but may involve obtaining goods or services. Penalties vary by state and severity of the crime.
Criminal counterfeiting knowingly alters or modifies any information on a legal document with the intent to defraud an agency or another person. The reasons for counterfeiting can vary. Counterfeiters typically commit their crimes to acquire money, but they can also commit forgeries to obtain goods or services. Falsifying a crime can also be a way to gather information about a person or business. When this type of counterfeiting occurs, identity theft can also occur.
Fraud and forgery are very similar offenses in that they involve attempting to obtain money illegally by making false statements, but fraud is typically committed for the sole purpose of obtaining money. Crime forgery is markedly different. Counterfeiters have a clear reason for committing their crimes. For example, if there is an inheritance that has not been claimed, a criminal may try to steal the identity of the person to whom he legally belongs. This goes much further than just trying to get money because if the criminal is successful, he can also acquire land, possessions and social rank.
Any forged document must be legally significant before it is considered a forgery offence. It must look almost identical to the original copy and must also have fooled a person. Computer-generated, handwritten, or even engraved items can be used to defraud a business or individual. Attempting to file expired forms or using false signatures on legal documents is also considered a forgery. If a false document is found on a person but has not been used, that person can still be charged with a false crime.
One of the most common reasons for crime faking is to obtain another person’s identity. A birth certificate or passport can be changed to gain entry to a country. Government records can be changed to receive government-issued payments such as Social Security benefits or tax refunds. The identification of the person that includes a driver’s license can be changed by changing an age or a name. The offender is then able to avoid a warrant for arrest or receive benefits intended for older people.
Each state has its own laws regarding criminal counterfeiting, which differ. Penalties may depend on whether legal documents are used and how much money is actually stolen. First-degree forgery means that documents were used and there was also a strong attempt at fraud. With second-degree forgery, there is typically no document involved. A false felony conviction can mean an extended prison sentence and having to pay excessive fines along with a permanent felony conviction.
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