(a) Writings.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if, knowing that he has no privilege to do so, he falsifies, destroys, removes or conceals any writing or record, or distinguishing mark or brand or other identification with intent to deceive or injure anyone or to conceal any wrongdoing.
(b) Personal property.--A person commits a summary offense if he knowingly buys, sells or moves in commerce any personal property from which the manufacturer's name plate, serial number or any other distinguishing number or identification mark has been removed, defaced, covered, altered or destroyed unless the alterations have been customarily made or done as an established practice in the ordinary and regular conduct of business by the original manufacturer or under specific authorization and direction from the original manufacturer. Personal property as set forth in this subsection shall not include firearms, motor vehicles or insurance company salvage recoveries.
(c) Innocent alterations.--If property subject to the provisions of this section has had its identifying marks defaced or eliminated innocently and is in the possession of its rightful owner, the owner may, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) or (b), dispose of the property by sale or otherwise if he delivers to the acquirer a notarized statement that the property was innocently altered and that the person disposing of it is its rightful owner.
(Nov. 26, 1978, P.L.1316, No.319, eff. Jan. 1, 1979)
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 18 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES
Chapter 41 - Forgery and Fraudulent Practices
Section 4102 - Simulating objects of antiquity, rarity, etc
Section 4103 - Fraudulent destruction, removal or concealment of recordable instruments
Section 4104 - Tampering with records or identification
Section 4106 - Access device fraud
Section 4106.1 - Unlawful device-making equipment
Section 4107 - Deceptive or fraudulent business practices
Section 4107.1 - Deception relating to kosher food products
Section 4108 - Commercial bribery and breach of duty to act disinterestedly
Section 4109 - Rigging publicly exhibited contest
Section 4110 - Defrauding secured creditors
Section 4111 - Fraud in insolvency
Section 4112 - Receiving deposits in a failing financial institution
Section 4114 - Securing execution of documents by deception
Section 4115 - Falsely impersonating persons privately employed
Section 4116 - Copying; recording devices
Section 4116.1 - Unlawful operation of recording device in motion picture theater
Section 4117 - Insurance fraud
Section 4118 - Washing vehicle titles