criminal-law fraud forgery
Can a person get in trouble for using an altered photo ID?
<p>I am not 18 yet, actually 17. And I found this awesome way to make money online, but it requires you to be at least 18 years of age. The website asks for a photo of your ID at the registration. So I changed a 9 to an 8 in my DoB on a photo of my passport. <strong>Can I get into any sort of trouble for using this slightly adjusted photo of an ID?</strong></p>

<p>(I personally believe that I won't since I don't have any bad intentions, I'm doing it just for the sake of making a bit money online for myself.) </p>

<p>I'm just not sure if it could count as forgery (since I've photoshopped it myself) or any type of misdemeanor.</p>

<p><strong>EDIT: How about if I use ID from another country?</strong></p>

<p>Your passport is not yours, it is owned by the government and altering it, even in a digital copy, is a serious crime. For example, <a href="https://www.passports.gov.au/usingyourpassport/Pages/passportfraud.aspx" rel="nofollow">passport fraud</a> in Australia attracts a penalty of 10 years jail or a fine of 1,000 penalty units (currently $180,000).</p>

<p>Using <em>any</em> altered document is a crime in most jurisdictions, and in the U.S., most states count it as a potentially serious felony punishable by prison time and/or fines.</p>

<p>As for it not "harming" anyone, if you are defrauding someone else, you're causing harm.  There are many legal reasons that companies must care about whether their customers are of legal age, and the company you're considering lying to could end up being investigated if your fraud is discovered, which could cost considerable money to them.</p>

<p>The point is, if you don't like being lied to, don't do it to anyone else.  It's good morals, <em>and</em> it will keep you out of trouble!</p>
