Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 914: Creditors of the United States

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

It is a federal crime to falsely impersonate a holder of U.S. government securities or benefits and fraudulently transfer them or receive money belonging to the rightful holder. Penalties include fines and/or imprisonment up to five years.

Read the full statutory text
Whoever falsely personates any true and lawful holder of any share or sum in the public stocks or debt of the United States, or any person entitled to any annuity, dividend, pension, wages, or other debt due from the United States, and, under color of such false personation, transfers or endeavors to transfer such public stock or any part thereof, or receives or endeavors to receive the money of such true and lawful holder thereof, or the money of any person really entitled to receive such annuity, dividend, pension, wages, or other debt, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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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.