§ 471
Obligations or securities of United States
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, with intent to defraud, falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, or alters any obligation or other security of the United States, shall be or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 705 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB); Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §374(b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 340.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to falsely make, forge, counterfeit, or alter any U.S. government money, bond, or other security with the intent to defraud (cheat) others.