 |
Speak Up! - View Question #407 |
 printer friendly version
Question: Is it illegal to deface money?
Answer: United States currency and coinage are governed by federal law through the U.S. Treasury Department. Generally, it is illegal to fraudulently deface, mutilate, impair, diminish, falsify, scales or lightens any coins minted or "coined" in the United States or any foreign coins which are by law made current or are in use or circulation as money within the U.S. (18 U.S.C. 331)
It is also a crime to fraudulently possess, pass, publish, sell or attempt to possess, pass, publish, sell or bring into the U.S. any such coin with knowledge that the coin has been altered, mutilated, defaced, etc. (18 U.S.C. 331)
Defacing currency with the intent to alter the bill to gain a benefit is illegal. If someone alters a written instrument (such as a check) without permission and with the intent to gain a benefit, then it is called forgery, which is a crime. If one tried to alter a cash bill (like changing a $5 bill to a $20 bill) for the purpose of presenting the altered bill to gain a benefit, then that could be considered a forgery. Forgery of United States Currency in this manner is called counterfeiting and carries with it very stiff penalties.
See also Speak Up! Other #370 - What are the consequences for being found guilty of counterfeiting?
|
| Comments |
| 21 thru 25 of 27 comments |
1 2 3 4 [ 5 ] ...
|
|
On 06/18/06
Reed from GA said:
It is nothing more than a way to track your bills across this great country of ours and all you skeptics need to go crawl back into your hole! My gosh, can't people just have some fun without naysayer's raining down on the parade? I feel sorry for people like that!
|
On 05/03/06
Jeanine from IL said:
Is it illegal to glue dimes on my jacket and wear it or sell it?
|
On 04/26/04
SJ from CA said:
It is also like a chain letter as users hope to get 'hits' on their bill in order to preserve their efforts and the bill's memories. Still others like to live vicariously through a bill's journeys/journal. The links show pictures from gatherings and for the most part, these 'georgers' are all middle to elder aged people that spend a lot of $$$ at fast food restaurants, your local Wal-mart, gas station, or any place that recirculates cash from a register at a fast pace.
|
On 01/14/04
Alex from NM said:
www.wheresgeorge.com is not a scam. I am a long time user, and to this date, my e-mail is spam-free.
|
On 12/23/03
T from MN said:
I have been a member of wheresgeorge.com for over 3 years and have never received a single spam-type email related to wheresgeorge.com. I suggest you look to other causes before blaming one website. Perhaps it is your ISP. Just a thought. If you are THAT upset over spam (which is a fact of life when one chooses to use the internet) then switch ISP's or download some software to stop it from occurring. Consider reading their privacy policy again.
Privacy Policy
#1 Personal Information
The staff at Where's George? and Where's Willy? respects your total and complete privacy. We wil
|
| 21 thru 25 of 27 comments |
1 2 3 4 [ 5 ] ...
|
|
|
