§ 1726
Postage collected unlawfully
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, being a postmaster or other person authorized to receive the postage of mail matter, fraudulently demands or receives any rate of postage or gratuity or reward other than is provided by law for the postage of such mail matter, shall be or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 784 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(B), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146 (PDF, 52 MB).)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime for a postmaster or other person authorized to collect postage to fraudulently charge or accept a postage rate different from what the law sets, or any tip or reward.