Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 712: Misuse of names, words, emblems, or insignia

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is illegal to use federal names, initials, emblems, or insignia in debt collection, private police, or detective work communications in a way that falsely suggests government authority.

Read the full statutory text
Whoever, in the course of collecting or aiding in the collection of private debts or obligations, or being engaged in furnishing private police, investigation, or other private detective services, uses or employs in any communication, correspondence, notice, advertisement, or circular the words “national”, “Federal”, or “United States”, the initials “U.S.”, or any emblem, insignia, or name, for the purpose of conveying and in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the false impression that such communication is from a department, agency, bureau, or instrumentality of the United States or in any manner represents the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.