§ 288. False claims for postal losses

Statutory text

Whoever makes, alleges, or presents any claim or application for indemnity for the loss of any registered or insured letter, parcel, package, or other article or matter, or the contents thereof, knowing such claim or application to be false, fictitious, or fraudulent; or

Whoever for the purpose of obtaining or aiding to obtain the payment or approval of any such claim or application, makes or uses any false statement, certificate, affidavit, or deposition; or

Whoever knowingly and willfully misrepresents, or misstates, or, for the purpose aforesaid, knowingly and willfully conceals any material fact or circumstance in respect of any such claim or application for indemnity—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Where the amount of such claim or application for indemnity is less than $1,000 only a fine shall be imposed.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1948
Pub. L. 80–645 · 62 Stat. 683
Enacted · 18 U.S.C. § 288
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 698
Source evidence
Code source credit
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 698
1994
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
Pub. L. 103–322 title XXXIII § 330016(1)(G) · 108 Stat. 1796
Substituted · 18 U.S.C. § 288
Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $500” in fourth par
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $500” in fourth par.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(G) in sections 4, 41, 42, 46, 47, 112, 154, 244, 288, 290, 336, 475, 501, 502, 755, 872, 875, 876, 877, 917, 1013, 1018, 1024, 1154, 1155, 1156, 1382, 1541, 1700, 1703, 1704, 1707, 1712, 1713, 1720, 1721, 1722, 1729, 1731, 1734, 1752, 1793, 1856, 1857, 1863, 1912, 1913, 1922, 2074, 2195, and 2511 by striking “not more than $500” each place it appears and inserting “under this title”;
1996
Economic Espionage Act of 1996
Pub. L. 104–294 title VI § 606(a) · 110 Stat. 3488
Substituted · 18 U.S.C. § 288
Pub. L. 104–294 substituted “$1,000” for “$100” in fifth par
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 104–294 substituted “$1,000” for “$100” in fifth par.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(a) Sections 215, 288, 641, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 661, 662, 665, 872, 1003, 1025, 1163, 1361, 1707, 1711, and 2113 of title 18, United States Code, are amended by striking “$100” each place it appears and inserting “$1,000”.

2 of 3 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Notes

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 354 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 224, 35 Stat. 1133; Aug. 5, 1939, ch. 429, 53 Stat. 1203).

Reference to persons causing, assisting, aiding, or abetting, was omitted as such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title.

Changes in phraseology were made.

Editorial Notes

Amendments1994–1996 · 2 rounds

1996

Pub. L. 104–294 substituted “$1,000” for “$100” in fifth par.

1994

Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $500” in fourth par.

Credits

1948–1996 · 3 acts

1948June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 698
1994Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147
1996Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 606(a), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3511.

Show as published

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 698; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 606(a), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3511.)