Chapter 545: Theft and Fraud

Sections

545.01 Definitions
545.02 Determining property value in theft offense
545.03 Property exceptions as felony offense
545.04 Detention of shoplifters; rights of museums and libraries
545.05 Petty theft
545.06 Unauthorized use of a vehicle; vehicle trespass
545.07 Insurance fraud
545.08 Unauthorized use of property
545.09 Passing bad checks
545.10 Misuse of credit cards
545.11 Making or using slugs
545.12 Tampering with coinmachines
545.13 Criminal simulation
545.14 Tampering with records
545.15 Securing writings by deception
545.16 Personating an officer
545.17 Defrauding creditors
545.18 Receiving stolen property
545.19 Possession of criminal tools
545.20 Forgery of identification cards
545.21 Identity fraud (Deleted)
545.99 Penalty

Cross references

See sectional histories for similar State law
Property defined - see GEN. OFF. 501.01(j)
Cheating - see GEN. OFF. 517.05
Falsification - see GEN. OFF. 525.02
Impersonating a public servant - see GEN. OFF. 525.03

545.01 Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires that a term be given a different meaning:

(a) “Deception” means knowingly deceiving another or causing another to be deceived, by any false or misleading representation, by withholding information, by preventing another from acquiring information, or by any other conduct, act or omission that creates, confirms or perpetuates a false impression in another, including a false impression as to law, value, state of mind, or other objective or subjective fact.
(b) “Defraud” means to knowingly obtain, by deception, some benefit for oneself or another, or to knowingly cause, by deception, some detriment to another.
(c) “Deprive” means to do any of the following:
1. (1) Withhold property of another permanently, or for such period that appropriates a substantial portion of its value or use, or with purpose to restore it only upon payment of a reward or other consideration;
2. (2) Dispose of property so as to make it unlikely that the owner will recover it;
3. (3) Accept, use or appropriate money, property or services, with purpose not to give proper consideration in return for the money, property or services, and without reasonable justification or excuse for not giving proper consideration.
(d) “Owner” means, unless the context requires a different meaning, any person, other than the actor, who is the owner of, who has possession or control of, or who has any license or interest in property or services, even though the ownership, possession, control, license or interest is unlawful.
(e) “Services” include labor, personal services, professional services, rental services, public utility services, including wireless service as defined in Ohio R.C. 5507.01(F)(1), common carrier services, and food, drink, transportation, entertainment and cable television services.
(f) “Writing” means any computer software, document, letter, memorandum, note, paper, plate, data, film or other thing having in or upon it any written, typewritten or printed matter, and any token, stamp, seal, credit card, badge, trademark, label or other symbol of value, right, privilege, license or identification.
(g) “Forge” means to fabricate or create, in whole or in part and by any means any spurious writing, or to make, execute, alter, complete, reproduce or otherwise purport to authenticate any writing, when the writing in fact is not authenticated by that conduct.
(h) “Utter” means to issue, publish, transfer, use, put or send into circulation, deliver or display.
(i) “Coin machine” means any mechanical or electronic device designed to do both of the following:
1. (1) Receive a coin, bill, or token made for that purpose;
2. (2) In return for the insertion or deposit of a coin, bill or token, automatically dispense property, provide a service or grant a license.
(j) “Slug” means an object that, by virtue of its size, shape, composition or other quality, is capable of being inserted or deposited in a coin machine as an improper substitute for a genuine coin, bill or token made for that purpose.
(k) “Theft offense” means any of the following:
1. (1) A violation of Ohio R.C. 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2911.31, 2911.32, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.041, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.32, 2913.33, 2913.34, 2913.40, 2913.42 to 2913.45, 2913.47, 2913.48, 2913.51, 2915.05, 2915.06, 2921.41 or 4737.04(B)(2).
2. (2) A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this or any other state or the United States substantially equivalent to any section listed in subsection (k)(1) hereof or a violation of Ohio R.C. 2913.41, 2913.81 or 2915.06 as it existed prior to July 1, 1996;
3. (3) An offense under an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this or any other state or the United States involving robbery, burglary, breaking and entering, theft, embezzlement, wrongful conversion, forgery, counterfeiting, deceit or fraud;
4. (4) A conspiracy or attempt to commit, or complicity in committing any offense under subsection (k)(1), (2) or (3) hereof.
(l) “Computer services” includes, but is not limited to, the use of a computer system, computer network, computer program, data that is prepared for computer use or data that is contained within a computer system or computer network.
(m) “Computer” means an electronic device that performs logical, arithmetic and memory functions by the manipulation of electronic or magnetic impulses. “Computer” includes, but is not limited to, all input, output, processing, storage, computer program or communication facilities that are connected or related, in a computer system or network to an electronic device of that nature.
(n) “Computer system” means a computer and related devices, whether connected or unconnected, including, but not limited to, data input, output and storage devices, data communications links, and computer programs and data that make the system capable of performing specified special purpose data processing tasks.
(o) “Computer network” means a set of related and remotely connected computers and communication facilities that includes more than one computer system that has the capability to transmit among the connected computers and communication facilities through the use of computer facilities.
(p) “Computer program” means an ordered set of data representing coded instructions or statements that when executed by a computer cause the computer to process data.
(q) “Computer software” means computer programs, procedures and other documentation associated with the operation of a computer system.
(r) “Data” means a representation of information, knowledge, facts, concepts or instructions that are being or have been prepared in a formalized manner and that are intended for use in a computer, computer system or computer network. For purposes of Section 545.07, “data” has the additional meaning set forth in subsection (a) of that section.
(s) “Cable television service” means any services provided by or through the facilities of any cable television system or other similar closed circuit coaxial cable communications system, or any microwave or similar transmission service used in connection with any cable television system or other similar closed circuit coaxial cable communications system.
(t) “Gain access” means to approach, instruct, communicate with, store data in, retrieve data from or otherwise make use of any resources of a computer, computer system or computer network.
(u) “Credit card” includes, but is not limited to, a card, code, device or other means of access to a customer’s account for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor or services on credit, or for initiating an electronic fund transfer at a point-of-sale terminal, an automated teller machine or a cash dispensing machine.
(v) “Electronic fund transfer” has the same meaning as in 92 Stat. 3728, 15 U.S.C.A. 1693a, as amended.
(ORC 2913.01)
(w) “Rented property” means personal property in which the right of possession and use of the property is for a short and possibly indeterminate term in return for consideration; the rentee generally controls the duration of possession of the property, within any applicable minimum or maximum term; and the amount of consideration generally is determined by the duration of possession of the property.
(x) “Telecommunication” means the origination, emission, dissemination, transmission, or reception of data, images, signals, sounds, or other intelligence or equivalence of intelligence or any nature over any communications system by any method, including, but not limited to, a fiber optic, electronic, magnetic, optical, digital, or analog method.
(y) “Telecommunications device” means any instrument, equipment, machine, or other device that facilitates telecommunication, including, but not limited to, a computer, computer network, computer chip, computer circuit, scanner, telephone, cellular telephone, pager, personal communications device, transponder, receiver, radio, modem, or device that enables the use of a modem.
(z) “Telecommunications service” means the providing, allowing, facilitating, or generating of any form of telecommunication through the use of a telecommunications device over a telecommunications system.
(aa) “Counterfeit telecommunications device” means a telecommunications device that, alone or with another telecommunications device, has been altered, constructed, manufactured, or programmed to acquire, intercept, receive, or otherwise facilitate the use of a telecommunications service or information service without the authority or consent of the provider of the telecommunications service or information service. “Counterfeit telecommunications device” includes, but is not limited to, a clone telephone, clone microchip, tumbler telephone, or tumbler microchip; a wireless scanning device capable of acquiring, intercepting, receiving, or otherwise facilitating the use of telecommunications service or information service without immediate detection; or a device, equipment, hardware, or software designed for, or capable of, altering or changing the electronic serial number in a wireless telephone.
(bb)
1. (1) “Information service” means, subject to subsection (bb)(2) hereof, the offering of a capability for generating, acquiring, storing, transforming, processing, retrieving, utilizing, or making available information via telecommunications, including, but not limited to, electronic publishing.
2. (2) “Information service” does not include any use of a capability of a type described in subsection (bb)(1) hereof for the management, control, or operation of a telecommunications system or the management of a telecommunications service.
(cc) “Elderly person” means a person who is sixty-five years of age or older.
(dd) “Disabled adult” means a person who is eighteen years of age or older and has some impairment of body or mind that makes the person unfit to work at any substantially remunerative employment that the person otherwise would be able to perform and that will, with reasonable probability, continue for a period of at least twelve months without any present indication of recovery from the impairment, or who is eighteen years of age or older and has been certified as permanently and totally disabled by an agency of this State or the United States that has the function of so classifying persons.
(ee) “Firearm” and “dangerous ordnance” have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 2923.11.
(ff) “Motor vehicle” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 4501.01.
(gg) “Dangerous drug” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 4729.01.
(hh) “Drug abuse offense” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 2925.01.
(ii) “Police dog or horse” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 2921.321.
(jj) “Anhydrous ammonia” is a compound formed by the combination of two gaseous elements, nitrogen and hydrogen, in the manner described in this subsection. Anhydrous ammonia is one part nitrogen to three parts hydrogen (NH3). Anhydrous ammonia by weight is fourteen parts nitrogen to three parts hydrogen, which is approximately eighty-two per cent nitrogen to eighteen per cent hydrogen.
(kk) “Assistance dog” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 955.011.
(ll) “Active duty service member” means any member of the armed forces of the United States performing active duty under Title 10 of the United States Code.
(ORC 2913.01)

545.02 Determining property value in theft offense

(a) If more than one item of property or service is involved in a theft offense, the value of the property or services involved for the purpose of determining the value is the aggregate value of all property or services involved in the offense.
(b)
1. (1) When a series of offenses under Section 545.05, or a series of violations of, attempts to commit a violation of, conspiracies to violate, or complicity in violations of Section 545.05, 545.06, or 545.08, 545.10(b)(1) or (2), or Section 545.15 or 545.20 involving a victim who is an elderly person or disabled adult, is committed by the offender in the offender’s same employment, capacity, or relationship to another, all of those offenses shall be tried as a single offense. When a series of offenses under Section 545.05, or a series of violations of, attempts to commit a violation of, conspiracies to violate, or complicity in violations of Sections 545.05 or 545.15 involving a victim who is an active duty service member or spouse of an active duty service member is committed by the offender in the offender’s same employment, capacity or relationship to another, all of those offenses shall be tried as a single offense. The value of the property or services involved in the series of offenses for the purpose of determining the value is the aggregate value of all property and services involved in all offenses in the series.
2. (2) If an offender commits a series of offenses under Section 545.05 that involves a common course of conduct to defraud multiple victims, all of the offenses may be tried as a single offense. If an offender is being tried for the commission of a series of violations of, attempts to commit a violation of, conspiracies to violate, or complicity in violations of Section 545.05, 545.06 or 545.08, Section 545.10(b)(1) or (2), or Section 545.15 or 545.20, whether committed against one victim or more than one victim, involving a victim who is an elderly person or disabled adult, pursuant to a scheme or course of conduct, all of those offenses may be tried as a single offense. If the offender is being tried for the commission of a series of violations of, attempts to commit a violation of, conspiracies to violate, or complicity in violations of Section 545.05 or 545.15, whether committed against one victim or more than one victim, involving a victim who is an active duty service member or spouse of an active duty service member pursuant to a scheme or course of conduct, all of those offenses may be tried as a single offense. If the offenses are tried as a single offense, the value of the property or services involved for the purpose of determining the value is the aggregate value of all property and services involved in all of the offenses in the course of conduct.
3. (3) In prosecuting a single offense under subsection (b)(1) or (2), it is not necessary to separately allege and prove each offense in the series. Rather, it is sufficient to allege and prove that the offender, within a given span of time, committed one or more theft offenses in the offender’s same employment, capacity, or relationship to another as described in subsection (b)(1) of this section or that involve a common course of conduct to defraud multiple victims or a scheme or course of conduct as described in subsection (b)(2) of this section. While it is not necessary to separately allege and prove each offense in the series in order to prosecute a single offense under subsection (b)(1) or (2) hereof, it remains necessary in prosecuting them as a single offense to prove the aggregate value of the property or services in order to meet the requisite statutory offense level sought by the prosecution.
(c) The following criteria shall be used in determining the value of property or services involved in a theft offense:
1. (1) The value of an heirloom, memento, collector’s item, antique, museum piece, manuscript, document, record or other thing that has intrinsic worth to its owner and that is either irreplaceable or is replaceable only on the expenditure of substantial time, effort or money, is the amount that would compensate the owner for its loss.
2. (2) The value of personal effects and household goods, and of materials, supplies, equipment and fixtures used in the profession, business, trade, occupation or avocation of its owner, which property is not covered under subsection (c)(1) hereof, and which retains substantial utility for its purpose regardless of its age or condition, is the cost of replacing the property with new property of like kind and quality.
3. (3) The value of any real or personal property that is not covered under subsections (c)(1) or (2) hereof, and the value of services, is the fair market value of the property or services. As used in this section, “fair market value” is the money consideration that a buyer would give and a seller would accept for property or services, assuming that the buyer is willing to buy and the seller is willing to sell, that both are fully informed as to all facts material to the transaction, and that neither is under any compulsion to act.
(d) Without limitation on the evidence that may be used to establish the value of property or services involved in a theft offense:
1. (1) When the property involved is personal property held for sale at wholesale or retail, the price at which the property was held for sale is prima-facie evidence of its value.
2. (2) When the property involved is a security or commodity traded on an exchange, the closing price or, if there is no closing price, the asked price, given in the latest market quotation prior to the offense, is prima-facie evidence of the value of the security or commodity.
3. (3) When the property involved is livestock, poultry or raw agricultural products for which a local market price is available, the latest local market price prior to the offense is prima-facie evidence of the value of the livestock, poultry or products.
4. (4) When the property involved is a negotiable instrument, the face value is prima-facie evidence of the value of the instrument.
5. (5) When the property involved is a warehouse receipt, bill of lading, pawn ticket, claim check or other instrument entitling the holder or bearer to receive property, the face value or, if there is no face value, the value of the property covered by the instrument less any payment necessary to receive the property, is prima-facie evidence of the value of the instrument.
6. (6) When the property involved is a ticket of admission, ticket for transportation, coupon, token or other instrument entitling the holder or bearer to receive property or services, the face value or, if there is no face value, the value of the property or services that may be received by the instrument, is prima-facie evidence of the value of the instrument.
7. (7) When the services involved are gas, electricity, water, telephone, transportation, shipping or other services for which the rate is established by law, the duly established rate is prima-facie evidence of the value of the services.
8. (8) When the services involved are services for which the rate is not established by law, and the offender has been notified prior to the offense of the rate for the services, either in writing or orally, or by posting ina manner reasonably calculated to come to the attention of potential offenders, the rate contained in the notice is prima-facie evidence of the value of the services.
  (ORC 2913.61)

545.03 Property exceptions as felony offense

Regardless of the value of the property involved, and regardless of whether the offender has previously been convicted of a theft offense, the provisions of Section 545.05 or 545.18 do not apply if the property involved is any of the following:

(a) A credit card;
(b) A printed form for a check or other negotiable instrument, that on its face identifies the drawer or maker for whose use it is designed or identifies the account on which it is to be drawn, and that has not been executed by the drawer or maker or on which the amount is blank;
(c) A motor vehicle identification license plate as prescribed by Ohio R.C. 4503.22, a temporary motor vehicle license registration as prescribed by Ohio R.C. 4503.182, or any comparable temporary motor vehicle license registration as prescribed by the applicable law of another state or the United States;
(d) A blank form for a certificate of title or a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate to a motor vehicle, as prescribed by Ohio R.C. 4505.07;
(e) A blank form for any license listed in Ohio R.C. 4507.01(A).
(ORC 2913.71)

545.04 Detention of shoplifters; rights of museums and libraries

(a) A merchant, or his employee or agent, who has probable cause to believe that items offered for sale by a mercantile establishment have been unlawfully taken by a person, may, for the purposes set forth in subsection (c) hereof, detain the person in a reasonable manner for a reasonable length of time within the mercantile establishment or its immediate vicinity.
(b) Any officer, employee or agent of a library, museum or archival institution may, for the purposes set forth in subsection (c) hereof or for the purpose of conducting a reasonable investigation of a belief that the person has acted in a manner described in subsections (b)(1) and (2) hereof, detain a person in a reasonable manner for a reasonable length of time within, or in the immediate vicinity of the library, museum or archival institution, if the officer, employee or agent has probable cause to believe that the person has either:
1. (1) Without privilege to do so, knowingly moved, defaced, damaged, destroyed or otherwise improperly tampered with property owned by or in the custody of the library, museum or archival institution; or
2. (2) With purpose to deprive the library, museum or archival institution of property owned by it or in its custody, knowingly obtained or exerted control over the property without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent, beyond the scope of the express or implied consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent, by deception, or by threat.
(c) An officer, agent or employee of a library, museum or archival institution pursuant to subsection (b) hereof or a merchant or his employee or agent pursuant to subsection (a) hereof may detain another person for any of the following purposes:
1. (1) To recover the property that is the subject of the unlawful taking, criminal mischief or theft;
2. (2) To cause an arrest to be made by a peace officer;
3. (3) To obtain a warrant of arrest.
4. (4) To offer the person, if the person is suspected of the unlawful taking, criminal mischief, or theft and notwithstanding any other provision of this General Offenses or the Ohio Revised Code, an opportunity to complete a pretrial diversion program and to inform the person of the other legal remedies available to the library, museum, archival institution or merchant.
(d) The officer, agent or employee of the library, museum or archival institution, or the merchant or his employee or agent acting under subsection (a) or (b) hereof shall not search the person, search or seize any property belonging to the person detained without the person’s consent, or use undue restraint upon the person detained.
(e) Any peace officer may arrest without a warrant any person that he has probable cause to believe has committed any act described in subsection (b)(1) or (2) hereof or that he has probable cause to believe has committed an unlawful taking in a mercantile establishment. An arrest under this subsection shall be made within a reasonable time after the commission of the act or unlawful taking.
(f) As used in this section:
1. (1) “Archival institution” means any public or private building, structure or shelter in which are stored historical documents, devices, records, manuscripts or items of public interest, which historical materials are stored to preserve the materials or the information in the materials, to disseminate the information contained in the materials, or to make the materials available for public inspection or for inspection by certain persons who have a particular interest in, use for or knowledge concerning the materials.
2. (2) “Museum” means any public or private nonprofit institution that is permanently organized for primarily educational or aesthetic purposes, owns or borrows objects or items of public interest, and cares for and exhibits to the public the objects or items.
3. (3) “Pretrial diversion program” means a rehabilitative, educational program designed to reduce recidivism and promote personal responsibility that is at least four hours in length and that has been approved by any court in this State.
  (ORC 2935.041)

545.05 Petty theft

(a) No person, with purpose to deprive the owner of property or services, shall knowingly obtain or exert control over either the property or services in any of the following ways:
1. (1) Without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent;
2. (2) Beyond the scope of the express or implied consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent;
3. (3) By deception;
4. (4) By threat;
5. (5) By intimidation.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of petty theft, a misdemeanor of the first degree. Petty theft is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law if:
1. (1) The value of the property or services stolen is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more; or
2. (2) The victim of the offense is an elderly person, disabled adult, active duty service member, or spouse of an active duty service member, or
3. (3) The property stolen is a firearm or dangerous ordnance, or
4. (4) The property stolen is a motor vehicle, or
5. (5) The property stolen is any dangerous drug, or
6. (6) The property stolen is a police dog or horse or an assistance dog and the offender knows or should know that the property stolen is a police dog or horse or an assistance dog, or
7. (7) The property stolen is anhydrous ammonia, or
8. (8) The property stolen is a special purpose article as defined in Ohio R.C. 4737.04 or a bulk merchandise container as defined in Ohio R.C. 4737.012.
(c) In addition to the penalties described in subsection (b) of this section, if the offender committed the violation by causing a motor vehicle to leave the premises of an establishment at which gasoline is offered for retail sale without the offender making full payment for gasoline that was dispensed into the fuel tank of the motor vehicle or into another container, the court may do one of the following:
1. (1) Unless subsection (c)(2) of this section applies, suspend for not more than six months the offender’s driver’s license, probationary driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, or nonresident operating privilege;
2. (2) If the offender’s driver’s license, probationary driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, or nonresident operating privilege has previously been suspended pursuant to subsection (c)(1) of this section, impose a class seven suspension of the offender’s license, permit, or privilege from the range specified in Ohio R.C. 4510.02(A)(7), provided that the suspension shall be for at least six months.
3. (3) The court, in lieu of suspending the offender’s driver’s or commercial driver’s license, probationary driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, or nonresident operating privilege pursuant to subsections (c)(1) or (2) of this section, instead may require the offender to perform community service for a number of hours determined by the court.
(d) In addition to the penalties described in subsection (b) hereof, if the offender committed the violation by stealing rented property or rental services, the court may order that the offender make restitution pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2929.18 or 2929.28. Restitution may include, but is not limited to, the cost of repairing or replacing the stolen property, or the cost of repairing the stolen property and any loss of revenue resulting from deprivation of the property due to theft of rental services that is less than or equal to the actual value of the property at the time it was rented. Evidence of intent to commit theft of rented property or rental services shall be determined pursuant to the provisions of Ohio R.C. 2913.72.
(e) The sentencing court that suspends an offender’s license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege under subsection (c) of this section may grant the offender limited driving privileges during the period of the suspension in accordance with Ohio R.C. Chapter 4510.
(ORC 2913.02)

545.06 Unauthorized use of a vehicle; vehicle trespass

(a) No person shall knowingly use or operate an aircraft, motor vehicle, motorcycle, motorboat or other motor-propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent.
(b) This section does not apply to property removed from the State or if possession is kept for more than forty-eight hours.
(c) The following are affirmative defenses to a charge under this section:
1. (1) At the time of the alleged offense, the actor, though mistaken, reasonably believed that the actor was authorized to use or operate the property.
2. (2) At the time of the alleged offense, the actor reasonably believed that the owner or person empowered to give consent would authorize the actor to use or operate the property.
(d) No person shall knowingly enter into or upon a motor vehicle, motorcycle or other motor-propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent.
(e) Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of unauthorized use of a vehicle, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the victim of the offense is an elderly person or disabled adult and if the victim incurs a loss as a result of the violation, a violation of subsection (a) hereof is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(ORC 2913.03)
(f) Whoever violates subsection (d) hereof is guilty of vehicle trespass, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

545.07 Insurance fraud

(a) As used in this section:
1. (1) “Data” has the same meaning as in Section 545.01 and additionally includes any other representation of information, knowledge, facts, concepts or instructions that are being or have been prepared in a formalized manner.
2. (2) “Deceptive” means that a statement, in whole or in part, would cause another to be deceived because it contains a misleading representation, withholds information, prevents the acquisition of information or by any other conduct, act or omission creates, confirms or perpetuates a false impression, including, but not limited to, a false impression as to law, value, state of mind or other objective or subjective fact.
3. (3) “Insurer” means any person that is authorized to engage in the business of insurance in this State under Title XXXIX of the Ohio Revised Code; The Ohio Fair Plan Underwriting Association created under Ohio R.C. 3929.43; any health insuring corporation; and any legal entity that is self-insured and provides benefits to its employees or members.
4. (4) “Policy” means a policy, certificate, contract or plan that is issued by an insurer.
5. (5) “Statement” includes, but is not limited to, any notice, letter or memorandum; proof of loss; bill of lading; receipt for payment; invoice, account or other financial statement; estimate of property damage; bill for services; diagnosis or prognosis; prescription; hospital, medical or dental chart or other record; X-Ray, photograph, videotape or movie film; test result; other evidence of loss, injury or expense; computer-generated document; and data in any form.
(b) No person, with purpose to defraud or knowing that the person is facilitating a fraud, shall do either of the following:
1. (1) Present to, or cause to be presented to, an insurer any written or oral statement that is part of, or in support of, an application for insurance, a claim for payment pursuant to a policy or a claim for any other benefit pursuant to a policy, knowing that the statement, or any part of the statement, is false or deceptive;
2. (2) Assist, aid, abet, solicit, procure or conspire with another to prepare or make any written or oral statement that is intended to be presented to an insurer as part of, or in support of, an application for insurance, a claim for payment pursuant to a policy, or a claim for any other benefit pursuant to a policy, knowing that the statement, or any part of the statement, is false or deceptive.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of insurance fraud a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the amount of the claim that is false or deceptive is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more, insurance fraud is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(d) This section shall not be construed to abrogate, waive or modify Ohio R.C. 2317.02(A).
(ORC 2913.47)

545.08 Unauthorized use of property

(a) No person shall knowingly use or operate the property of another without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent.
(b) The affirmative defenses contained in Section 545.06(c) are affirmative defenses to a charge under this section.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of unauthorized use of property. Except as provided in subsection (d) hereof, unauthorized use of property is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(d) If unauthorized use of property is committed for the purpose of devising or executing a scheme to defraud or to obtain property or services, unauthorized use of property is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Unauthorized use of property is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law if:
1. (1) Unauthorized use of property is committed for the purpose of devising or executing a scheme to defraud or to obtain property or services, and if the value of the property is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more; or
2. (2) If the victim of the offense is an elderly person or disabled adult.
  (ORC 2913.04)

545.09 Passing bad checks

(a) As used in this section:
1. (1) “Check” includes any form of debit from a demand deposit account, including, but not limited to any of the following:
  1. (A) A check, bill of exchange, draft, order of withdrawal, or similar negotiable or nonnegotiable instrument;
  2. (B) An electronic check, electronic transaction, debit card transaction, check card transaction, substitute check, web check, or any form of automated clearing house transaction.
2. (2) “Issue a check” means causing any form of debit from a demand deposit account.
(b) No person, with purpose to defraud, shall issue or transfer or cause to be issued or transferred a check or other negotiable instrument, knowing that it will be dishonored or knowing that a person has ordered or will order stop payment on the check or other negotiable instrument.
(c) For purposes of this section, a person who issues or transfers a check or other negotiable instrument is presumed to know that it will be dishonored, if either of the following occurs:
1. (1) The drawer had no account with the drawee at the time of issue or the stated date, whichever is later.
2. (2) The check or other negotiable instrument was properly refused payment for insufficient funds upon presentment within thirty days after issue or the stated date, whichever is later, and the liability of the drawer, indorser or any party who may be liable thereon is not discharged by payment or satisfaction within ten days after receiving notice of dishonor.
(d) In determining the value of the payment for purposes of subsection (f) of this section, the court may aggregate all checks and other negotiable instruments that the offender issued or transferred or caused to be issued or transferred in violation of subsection (a) of this section within a period of one hundred eighty consecutive days.
(e) Whoever violates this section is guilty of passing bad checks. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, passing bad checks is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the check or checks or other negotiable instrument or instruments are issued or transferred to a single vendor or single other person for the payment of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more or if the check or checks or other negotiable instrument or instruments are issued or transferred to multiple vendors or persons for the payment of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) or more, passing bad checks is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(ORC 2913.11)

545.10 Misuse of credit cards

(a) No person shall do any of the following:
1. (1) Practice deception for the purpose of procuring the issuance of a credit card, when a credit card is issued in actual reliance thereon;
2. (2) Knowingly buy or sell a credit card from or to a person other than the issuer.
3. (3) As an officer, employee, or appointee of a political subdivision or as a public servant as defined under Section 525.01, knowingly misuse a credit card account held by a political subdivision.
(b) No person, with purpose to defraud, shall do any of the following:
1. (1) Obtain control over a credit card as security for a debt;
2. (2) Obtain property or services by the use of a credit card, in one or more transactions, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the card has expired or been revoked, or was obtained, is retained or is being used in violation of law;
3. (3) Furnish property or services upon presentation of a credit card, knowing that the card is being used in violation of law;
4. (4) Represent or cause to be represented to the issuer of a credit card that property or services have been furnished, knowing that the representation is false.
(c) No person, with purpose to violate this section, shall receive, possess, control or dispose of a credit card.
(d) Whoever violates this section is guilty of misuse of credit cards, a misdemeanor of the first degree. Misuse of credit cards is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law if:
1. (1) The cumulative retail value of the property and services involved in one or more violations of subsection (b)(2), (3) or (4) hereof, which violations involve one or more credit card accounts and occur within a period of ninety consecutive days commencing on the date of the first violation, is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more; or
2. (2) The victim of the offense is an elderly person or disabled adult and the offense involves a violation of subsection (b)(1) or (2) hereof.
  (ORC 2913.21)

545.11 Making or using slugs

(a) No person shall do any of the following:
1. (1) Insert or deposit a slug in a coin machine, with purpose to defraud;
2. (2) Make, possess or dispose of a slug, with purpose of enabling another to defraud by inserting or depositing it in a coin machine.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of making or using slugs, a misdemeanor of the second degree.
(ORC 2913.33)

545.12 Tampering with coin machines

(a) No person, with purpose to commit theft or to defraud, shall knowingly enter, force an entrance into, tamper with or insert any part of an instrument into any coin machine.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of tampering with coin machines, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender has previously been convicted of a violation of Ohio R.C. 2911.32 or of any theft offense, tampering with coin machines is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(ORC 2911.32)

545.13 Criminal simulation

(a) No person, with purpose to defraud, or knowing that the person is facilitating a fraud, shall do any of the following:
1. (1) Make or alter any object so that it appears to have value because of antiquity, rarity, curiosity, source, or authorship, which it does not in fact possess;
2. (2) Practice deception in making, retouching, editing, or reproducing any photograph, movie film, video tape, phonograph record, or recording tape;
3. (3) Falsely or fraudulently make, simulate, forge, alter, or counterfeit any wrapper, label, stamp, cork, or cap prescribed by the Liquor Control Commission under Ohio R.C. Chapters 4301 and 4303, falsely or fraudulently cause to be made, simulated, forged, altered, or counterfeited any wrapper, label, stamp, cork, or cap prescribed by the Liquor Control Commission under Ohio R.C. Chapters 4301 and 4303, or use more than once any wrapper, label, stamp, cork, or cap prescribed by the Liquor Control Commission under Ohio R.C. Chapters 4301 and 4303.
4. (4) Utter, or possess with purpose to utter, any object that the person knows to have been simulated as provided in subsection (a)(1), (2) or (3) of this section.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of criminal simulation, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the loss to the victim is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more, criminal simulation is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(ORC 2913.32)

545.14 Tampering with records

(a) No person, knowing the person has no privilege to do so, and with purpose to defraud or knowing that the person is facilitating a fraud, shall do any of the following:
1. (1) Falsify, destroy, remove, conceal, alter, deface or mutilate any writing, computer software, data, or record;
2. (2) Utter any writing or record, knowing it to have been tampered with as provided in subsection (a)(1) hereof.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of tampering with records, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the violation involves data or computer software the value of which or loss to the victim is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more, or if the writing or record is a will unrevoked at the time of the offense, tampering with records is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(ORC 2913.42)

545.15 Securing writings by deception

(a) No person, by deception, shall cause another to execute any writing that disposes of or encumbers property, or by which a pecuniary obligation is incurred.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of securing writings by deception, a misdemeanor of the first degree. Securing writings by deception is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law if:
1. (1) The value of the property or obligation involved is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more; or
2. (2) The victim of the offense is an elderly person, disabled adult, active duty service member or spouse of an active duty service member.
  (ORC 2913.43)

545.16 Personating an officer

(a) No person, with purpose to defraud or knowing that he is facilitating a fraud, or with purpose to induce another to purchase property or services, shall personate a law enforcement officer, or an inspector, investigator or agent of any governmental agency.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of personating an officer, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(ORC 2913.44)

545.17 Defrauding creditors

(a) No person, with purpose to defraud one or more of the person’s creditors, shall do any of the following:
1. (1) Remove, conceal, destroy, encumber, convey or otherwise deal with any of the person’s property.
2. (2) Misrepresent or refuse to disclose to a fiduciary appointed to administer or manage the person’s affairs or estate, the existence, amount or location of any of the person’s property, or any other information regarding such property that the person is legally required to furnish to the fiduciary.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of defrauding creditors, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the value of the property involved is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more, defrauding creditors is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(ORC 2913.45)

545.18 Receiving stolen property

(a) No person shall receive, retain or dispose of property of another, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the property has been obtained through commission of a theft offense.
(b) It is not a defense to a charge of receiving stolen property in violation of this section that the property was obtained by means other than through the commission of a theft offense if the property was explicitly represented to the accused person as being obtained through the commission of a theft offense.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of receiving stolen property, a misdemeanor of the first degree. Receiving stolen property is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law if:
1. (1) The value of the property involved is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more; or
2. (2) The property involved is:
  1. (A) Listed in Section 545.03; or
  2. (B) A motor vehicle as defined in Ohio R.C. 4501.01; or
  3. (C) A dangerous drug as defined in Ohio R.C. 4729.01.
  4. (D) A special purchase article as defined in Ohio R.C. 4737.04 or a bulk merchandise container as defined in Ohio R.C. 4737.012.
    (ORC 2913.51)

545.19 Possession of criminal tools

(a) No person shall possess or have under the person’s control any substance, device, instrument, or article, with purpose to use it criminally.
(b) Each of the following constitutes prima-facie evidence of criminal purpose:
1. (1) Possession or control of any dangerous ordnance, or the materials or parts for making dangerous ordnance, in the absence of circumstances indicating the dangerous ordnance, materials, or parts are intended for legitimate use;
2. (2) Possession or control of any substance, device, instrument, or article designed or specially adapted for criminal use;
3. (3) Possession or control of any substance, device, instrument, or article commonly used for criminal purposes, under circumstances indicating the item is intended for criminal use.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of possessing criminal tools, a misdemeanor of the first degree unless the circumstances indicate that the substance, device, instrument, or article involved in the offense was intended for use in the commission of a felony.
(ORC 2923.24)

545.20 Forgery of identification cards

(a) No person shall knowingly do either of the following:
1. (1) Forge an identification card;
2. (2) Sell or otherwise distribute a card that purports to be an identification card, knowing it to have been forged.
3. (3) As used in this section, “identification card” means a card that includes personal information or characteristics of an individual, a purpose of which is to establish the identity of the bearer described on the card, whether the words “identity,” “identification,” “identification card” or other similar words appear on the card.
(b) Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of forging identification cards or selling or distributing forged identification cards. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, forging or selling or distributing forged identification cards is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of this section or Ohio R.C. 2913.31 (B), forging identification cards or selling or distributing forged identification cards is a misdemeanor of the first degree and, in addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
(ORC 2913.31)

545.21 Identity fraud

(Editor’s note: Former Section 545.21 has been deleted from the Codified Ordinances. Ohio R.C. 2913.49, from which Section 545.21 was derived, has been reclassified from a misdemeanor to a felony offense.)

545.99 Penalty

(Editor’s note: See Section 501.99 for penalties applicable to any misdemeanor classification.)