What is the Difference Between Fraud and Forgery?

Fraud and forgery are both types of deception used for personal or financial gain, but they differ in their specific characteristics and manifestations. Here are the key differences between the two:

Fraud refers to the act of dishonesty for personal or financial gain, which always includes misrepresentation, deceit, or a false statement. It is an umbrella term for a variety of more specific crimes and is generally considered a well-thought-out crime by the law. Some examples of fraud include tax fraud, bank fraud, and online fraud.
Forgery is a type of fraud that involves altering or imitating an object, such as a document or a signature, to deceive others. It is concerned with a produced or altered object and is used in fraud schemes to gain access to information or materials that the fraudster should not have access to. Examples of forgery include forging checks, altering corporate accounts, and creating fake websites.

Both fraud and forgery are considered criminal offenses, and the legal consequences for each can vary depending on the specific circumstances and jurisdiction. For example, in Missouri, a person convicted of fraud could face misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the nature of the crime. In Wisconsin, someone guilty of writing a bad check could face Class A misdemeanor charges, which may result in fines up to $10,000 and up to nine months in jail.