What is the act of creating a false document or altering a genuine document known as?

The act of creating a false document or altering a genuine document is known as forgery. Forgery involves the intent to deceive by misrepresenting the authenticity of a document. This can include altering signatures, changing details in documents, or creating entirely fabricated documents. Legal ramifications of forgery can be severe, as it undermines trust in official documentation.

Counterfeiting, while similar, specifically refers to the reproduction of currency or legal tender and does not encompass the broader range of documents that forgery includes. Fraud is a wider term that encompasses various deceptive practices intended for personal gain but does not specifically refer to document alteration. Shoplifting pertains to stealing goods from a retail establishment and does not involve document manipulation at all. Thus, the definition of forgery is precisely aligned with the act described in the question.