False claims for postal losses
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
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 misrepresents, or misstates, or, for the purpose aforesaid, knowingly and conceals any material fact or circumstance in respect of any such claim or application for indemnity—
Shall be 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.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 698 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB); Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §606(a), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3511.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to file a claim for a lost registered or insured mail item knowing the claim is false or fraudulent. It is also a crime to use false statements or documents, or to knowingly hide or misstate important facts, to get such a claim paid.