[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC712]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES
CHAPTER 33--EMBLEMS, INSIGNIA, AND NAMES
Sec. 712. Misuse of names, words, emblems, or insignia
Whoever, in the course of collecting or aiding in the collection of
private debts or obligations, or being engaged in furnishing private
police, investigation, or other private detective services, uses or
employs in any communication, correspondence, notice, advertisement, or
circular the words ``national'', ``Federal'', or ``United States'', the
initials ``U.S.'', or any emblem, insignia, or name, for the purpose of
conveying and in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the false
impression that such communication is from a department, agency, bureau,
or instrumentality of the United States or in any manner represents the
United States, shall be
