Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§288 False Claims for Postal Losses
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 15 — CLAIMS AND SERVICES IN MATTERS AFFECTING GOVERNMENT › § 288
Summary
Filing a false claim to get paid for a lost registered or insured letter, parcel, package, or contents is a crime. It also covers using fake sworn papers or hiding key facts to get the payment. The penalty can be a fine, up to one year in jail, or both. Claims under $1,000 get a fine only.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §288
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
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
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
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
Amendments
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.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 288
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102