Quick search by citation:

18 U.S. Code § 1028 - Fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents, authentication features, and information

U.S. Code
Notes

(a) Whoever, in a circumstance described in subsection (c) of this section—

(1)

knowingly and without lawful authority produces an identification document, authentication feature, or a false identification document;

(2)

knowingly transfers an identification document, authentication feature, or a false identification document knowing that such document or feature was stolen or produced without lawful authority;

(3)

knowingly possesses with intent to use unlawfully or transfer unlawfully five or more identification documents (other than those issued lawfully for the use of the possessor), authentication features, or false identification documents;

(4)

knowingly possesses an identification document (other than one issued lawfully for the use of the possessor), authentication feature, or a false identification document, with the intent such document or feature be used to defraud the United States;

(5)

knowingly produces, transfers, or possesses a document-making implement or authentication feature with the intent such document-making implement or authentication feature will be used in the production of a false identification document or another document-making implement or authentication feature which will be so used;

(6)

knowingly possesses an identification document or authentication feature that is or appears to be an identification document or authentication feature of the United States or a sponsoring entity of an event designated as a special event of national significance which is stolen or produced without lawful authority knowing that such document or feature was stolen or produced without such authority;

(7)

knowingly transfers, possesses, or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, or in connection with, any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of Federal law, or that constitutes a felony under any applicable State or local law; or

(8)

knowingly traffics in false or actual authentication features for use in false identification documents, document-making implements, or means of identification;

shall be punished as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The punishment for an offense under subsection (a) of this section is—

(1) except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 15 years, or both, if the offense is—

(A) the production or transfer of an identification document, authentication feature, or false identification document that is or appears to be—

(i)

an identification document or authentication feature issued by or under the authority of the United States; or

(ii)

a birth certificate, or a driver’s license or personal identification card;

(B)

the production or transfer of more than five identification documents, authentication features, or false identification documents;

(C)

an offense under paragraph (5) of such subsection; or

(D)

an offense under paragraph (7) of such subsection that involves the transfer, possession, or use of 1 or more means of identification if, as a result of the offense, any individual committing the offense obtains anything of value aggregating $1,000 or more during any 1-year period;

(2) except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both, if the offense is—

(A)

any other production, transfer, or use of a means of identification, an identification document,,[1] authentication feature, or a false identification document; or

(B)

an offense under paragraph (3) or (7) of such subsection;

(3) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both, if the offense is committed—

(A)

to facilitate a drug trafficking crime (as defined in section 929(a)(2));

(B)

in connection with a crime of violence (as defined in section 924(c)(3)); or

(C)

after a prior conviction under this section becomes final;

(4)

a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 30 years, or both, if the offense is committed to facilitate an act of domestic terrorism (as defined under section 2331(5) of this title) or an act of international terrorism (as defined in section 2331(1) of this title);

(5)

in the case of any offense under subsection (a), forfeiture to the United States of any personal property used or intended to be used to commit the offense; and

(6)

a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, in any other case.

(1)

the identification document, authentication feature, or false identification document is or appears to be issued by or under the authority of the United States or a sponsoring entity of an event designated as a special event of national significance or the document-making implement is designed or suited for making such an identification document, authentication feature, or false identification document;

(2)

the offense is an offense under subsection (a)(4) of this section; or

(3) either—

(A)

the production, transfer, possession, or use prohibited by this section is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce, including the transfer of a document by electronic means; or

(B)

the means of identification, identification document, false identification document, or document-making implement is transported in the mail in the course of the production, transfer, possession, or use prohibited by this section.

(d) In this section and section 1028A—

(1)

the term “authentication feature” means any hologram, watermark, certification, symbol, code, image, sequence of numbers or letters, or other feature that either individually or in combination with another feature is used by the issuing authority on an identification document, document-making implement, or means of identification to determine if the document is counterfeit, altered, or otherwise falsified;

(2)

the term “document-making implement” means any implement, impression, template, computer file, computer disc, electronic device, or computer hardware or software, that is specifically configured or primarily used for making an identification document, a false identification document, or another document-making implement;

(3)

the term “identification document” means a document made or issued by or under the authority of the United States Government, a State, political subdivision of a State, a sponsoring entity of an event designated as a special event of national significance, a foreign government, political subdivision of a foreign government, an international governmental or an international quasi-governmental organization which, when completed with information concerning a particular individual, is of a type intended or commonly accepted for the purpose of identification of individuals;

(4) the term “false identification document” means a document of a type intended or commonly accepted for the purposes of identification of individuals that—

(A)

is not issued by or under the authority of a governmental entity or was issued under the authority of a governmental entity but was subsequently altered for purposes of deceit; and

(B)

appears to be issued by or under the authority of the United States Government, a State, a political subdivision of a State, a sponsoring entity of an event designated by the President as a special event of national significance, a foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or an international governmental or quasi-governmental organization;

(5) the term “false authentication feature” means an authentication feature that—

(A)

is genuine in origin, but, without the authorization of the issuing authority, has been tampered with or altered for purposes of deceit;

(B)

is genuine, but has been distributed, or is intended for distribution, without the authorization of the issuing authority and not in connection with a lawfully made identification document, document-making implement, or means of identification to which such authentication feature is intended to be affixed or embedded by the respective issuing authority; or

(C)

appears to be genuine, but is not;

(6) the term “issuing authority”—

(A)

means any governmental entity or agency that is authorized to issue identification documents, means of identification, or authentication features; and

(B)

includes the United States Government, a State, a political subdivision of a State, a sponsoring entity of an event designated by the President as a special event of national significance, a foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or an international government or quasi-governmental organization;

(7) the term “means of identification” means any name or number that may be used, alone or in conjunction with any other information, to identify a specific individual, including any—

(A)

name, social security number, date of birth, official State or government issued driver’s license or identification number, alien registration number, government passport number, employer or taxpayer identification number;

(B)

unique biometric data, such as fingerprint, voice print, retina or iris image, or other unique physical representation;

(C)

unique electronic identification number, address, or routing code; or

(D)

telecommunication identifying information or access device (as defined in section 1029(e));

(8)

the term “personal identification card” means an identification document issued by a State or local government solely for the purpose of identification;

(9)

the term “produce” includes alter, authenticate, or assemble;

(10)

the term “transfer” includes selecting an identification document, false identification document, or document-making implement and placing or directing the placement of such identification document, false identification document, or document-making implement on an online location where it is available to others;

(11)

the term “State” includes any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any other commonwealth, possession, or territory of the United States; and

(12) the term “traffic” means—

(A)

to transport, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, to another, as consideration for anything of value; or

(B)

to make or obtain control of with intent to so transport, transfer, or otherwise dispose of.

(e)

This section does not prohibit any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State, or of an intelligence agency of the United States, or any activity authorized under chapter 224 of this title.

(f) Attempt and Conspiracy.—

Any person who attempts or conspires to commit any offense under this section shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the attempt or conspiracy.

(g) Forfeiture Procedures.—

The forfeiture of property under this section, including any seizure and disposition of the property and any related judicial or administrative proceeding, shall be governed by the provisions of section 413 (other than subsection (d) of that section) of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 853).

(h) Forfeiture; Disposition.—

In the circumstance in which any person is convicted of a violation of subsection (a), the court shall order, in addition to the penalty prescribed, the forfeiture and destruction or other disposition of all illicit authentication features, identification documents, document-making implements, or means of identification.

(i) Rule of Construction.—

For purpose of subsection (a)(7), a single identification document or false identification document that contains 1 or more means of identification shall be construed to be 1 means of identification.

(Added Pub. L. 97–398, § 2, Dec. 31, 1982, 96 Stat. 2009; amended Pub. L. 99–646, § 44(a), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3601; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7023, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4397; Pub. L. 101–647, title XII, § 1205(e), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4831; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), (M), (O), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147, 2148; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title II, § 211(a)(1), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–569; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 601(a)(3), (p), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3498, 3502; Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(a)–(h)(1), Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3007–3009; Pub. L. 106–578, § 3, Dec. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 3076; Pub. L. 108–21, title VI, § 607(b), Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 689; Pub. L. 108–275, §§ 2(c), 3, July 15, 2004, 118 Stat. 832; Pub. L. 108–458, title VII, § 7216, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3833; Pub. L. 109–13, div. B, title II, § 203(a), May 11, 2005, 119 Stat. 315; Pub. L. 109–177, title VI, § 603, Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 253.)

[1]  So in original.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsecs. (a)(6), (c)(1). Pub. L. 109–177, § 603(1), (2), inserted “or a sponsoring entity of an event designated as a special event of national significance” after “United States”.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 109–177, § 603(3), inserted “a sponsoring entity of an event designated as a special event of national significance,” after “political subdivision of a State,”.

Subsec. (d)(4)(B), (6)(B). Pub. L. 109–177, § 603(4), inserted “a sponsoring entity of an event designated by the President as a special event of national significance,” after “political subdivision of a State,”.

2005—Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 109–13 substituted “false or actual authentication features” for “false authentication features”.

2004—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 108–275, § 3(1), substituted “transfers, possesses,” for “transfers” and “abet, or in connection with,” for “abet,”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 108–275, § 3(2), substituted “transfer, possession,” for “transfer”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 108–275, § 3(3), substituted “5 years” for “three years” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 108–458 substituted “30 years” for “25 years”.

Pub. L. 108–275, § 3(4), inserted “an act of domestic terrorism (as defined under section 2331(5) of this title) or” after “facilitate”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–275, § 2(c), inserted “and section 1028A” after “In this section” in introductory provisions.

2003—Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(6), inserted “, authentication features,” after “documents” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(1)(A), inserted “, authentication feature,” after “an identification document”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(1)(B), inserted “, authentication feature,” after “an identification document” and “or feature” after “such document”.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(1)(C), inserted “, authentication features,” after “possessor)”.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(1)(D), inserted “, authentication feature,” after “possessor)” and “or feature” after “such document”.

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(1)(E), inserted “or authentication feature” after “implement” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(1)(F), inserted “or authentication feature” before “that is or appears”, “or authentication feature” before “of the United States” and “or feature” after “such document” and struck out “or” at end.

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(1)(G), inserted “or” after semicolon at end.

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(1)(H), added par. (8).

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(2)(A)(i)(I), inserted “, authentication feature,” before “or false” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(2)(A)(i)(II), inserted “or authentication feature” after “document”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(2)(A)(ii), inserted “, authentication features,” before “or false”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(2)(B), inserted “, authentication feature,” before “or a false”.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(3), inserted “, authentication feature,” before “or false” in two places.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(4), added pars. (1), (5), (6) and (12), redesignated former pars. (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) as pars. (2), (3), (4), (7), (8), (9), (10), and (11), respectively, and in par. (4)(A) inserted “or was issued under the authority of a governmental entity but was subsequently altered for purposes of deceit” after “entity”.

Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 108–21, § 607(b)(5), added subsec. (h) and redesignated former subsec. (h) as (i).

2000—Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 106–578, § 3(1), inserted “, including the transfer of a document by electronic means” after “commerce”.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 106–578, § 3(2)(A), inserted “template, computer file, computer disc,” after “impression,”.

Subsec. (d)(3) to (8). Pub. L. 106–578, § 3(2)(B)–(F), added pars. (3) and (7) and redesignated former pars. (3), (4), (5), and (6) as (4), (5), (6), and (8), respectively.

1998—Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(h)(1), inserted “and information” at end of section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(a)(3), struck out “or attempts to do so,” before “shall be punished” in concluding provisions.

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(a)(1), (2), (4), added par. (7).

Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(b)(1), added subpar. (D).

Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(b)(2)(A), substituted “, transfer, or use of a means of identification, an identification document, or a” for “or transfer of an identification document or”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(b)(2)(B), inserted “or (7)” after “(3)”.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(b)(3), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: “a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both, if the offense is committed to facilitate a drug trafficking crime (as defined in section 929(a)(2) of this title);”.

Subsec. (b)(5), (6). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(b)(4)–(6), added par. (5) and redesignated former par. (5) as (6).

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(c), added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “the production, transfer, or possession prohibited by this section is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce, or the identification document, false identification document, or document-making implement is transported in the mail in the course of the production, transfer, or possession prohibited by this section.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(d), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) consisted of pars. (1) to (5) defining “identification document”, “produce”, “document-making implement”, “personal identification card”, and “State” as used in this section.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(e), added subsec. (f).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(f), added subsec. (g).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 105–318, § 3(g), added subsec. (h).

1996—Subsec. (a)(4), (5). Pub. L. 104–294, § 601(p), struck out “or” after semicolon in par. (4) and inserted “or” after semicolon in par. (5).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–294, § 601(a)(3), substituted “fine under this title” for “fine of under this title” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–208, § 211(a)(1)(A), in introductory provisions inserted “except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4),” after “(1)” and substituted “15 years” for “five years”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 104–208, § 211(a)(1)(B), inserted “except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4),” after “(2)” in introductory provisions and struck out “and” at end.

Subsec. (b)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 104–208, § 211(a)(1)(C), (D), added pars. (3) and (4) and redesignated former par. (3) as (5).

1994—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(O), substituted “under this title” for “not more than $25,000”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(M), substituted “under this title” for “not more than $15,000”.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(K), substituted “under this title” for “not more than $5,000”.

1990—Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 101–647 inserted “commonwealth,” before “possession or territory of the United States”.

1988—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 100–690 inserted “knowingly” before “possesses”, “lawful” before first reference to “authority”, and “such” before second reference to “authority”.

1986—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–646 substituted “chapter 224 of this title” for “title V of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (18 U.S.C. note prec. 3481)”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–578, § 5, Dec. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 3077, provided that:

“This Act [amending this section, repealing section 1738 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note below] and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 28, 2000].”

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title II, § 211(c), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–570, provided that:

“This section [amending this section and sections 1425 to 1427, 1541 to 1544, and 1546 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 994 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure] and the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to offenses occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 30, 1996].”

Coordinating Committee on False Identification

Pub. L. 106–578, § 2, Dec. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 3075, provided that:

“(a) In General.—

The Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury shall establish a coordinating committee to ensure, through existing interagency task forces or other means, that the creation and distribution of false identification documents (as defined in section 1028(d)(3) [now 1028(d)(4)] of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 3(2) of this Act) is vigorously investigated and prosecuted.

“(b) Membership.—

The coordinating committee shall consist of the Director of the United States Secret Service, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Social Security, and the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, or their respective designees.

“(c) Term.—

The coordinating committee shall terminate 2 years after the effective date of this Act [see Effective Date of 2000 Amendment note above].

“(d) Report.—

“(1) In general.—

The Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, at the end of each year of the existence of the committee, shall report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on the activities of the committee.

“(2) Contents.—The report referred to in paragraph (1) shall include—

“(A)

the total number of indictments and informations, guilty pleas, convictions, and acquittals resulting from the investigation and prosecution of the creation and distribution of false identification documents during the preceding year;

“(B)

identification of the Federal judicial districts in which the indictments and informations were filed, and in which the subsequent guilty pleas, convictions, and acquittals occurred;

“(C)

specification of the Federal statutes utilized for prosecution;

“(D)

a brief factual description of significant investigations and prosecutions;

“(E)

specification of the sentence imposed as a result of each guilty plea and conviction; and

“(F)

recommendations, if any, for legislative changes that could facilitate more effective investigation and prosecution of the creation and distribution of false identification documents.”

[For transfer of the functions, personnel, assets, and obligations of the United States Secret Service, including the functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 381, 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.]

[For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.]

Constitutional Authority

Pub. L. 105–318, § 2, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3007, provided that:

“The constitutional authority upon which this Act [see Short Title of 1998 Amendments note set out under section 1001 of this title] rests is the power of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States, and the authority to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the powers vested by the Constitution in the Government of the United States or in any department or officer thereof, as set forth in article I, section 8 of the United States Constitution.”

Centralized Complaint and Consumer Education Service for Victims of Identity Theft

Pub. L. 105–318, § 5, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 3010, provided that:

“(a) In General.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 1998], the Federal Trade Commission shall establish procedures to—

“(1)

log and acknowledge the receipt of complaints by individuals who certify that they have a reasonable belief that 1 or more of their means of identification (as defined in section 1028 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by this Act) have been assumed, stolen, or otherwise unlawfully acquired in violation of section 1028 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by this Act;

“(2)

provide informational materials to individuals described in paragraph (1); and

“(3) refer complaints described in paragraph (1) to appropriate entities, which may include referral to—

“(A)

the 3 major national consumer reporting agencies; and

“(B)

appropriate law enforcement agencies for potential law enforcement action.

“(b) Authorization of Appropriations.—

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.”

Fraud and Related Activity in Connection With Identification Documents

Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 609L, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2103, provided that:

“(a) For purposes of section 1028 of title 18, United States Code, to the maximum extent feasible, personal descriptors or identifiers utilized in identification documents, as defined in such section, shall utilize common descriptive terms and formats designed to—

“(1)

reduce the redundancy and duplication of identification systems by providing information which can be utilized by the maximum number of authorities, and

“(2)

facilitate positive identification of bona fide holders of identification documents.

“(b) The President shall, no later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 12, 1984], and after consultation with Federal, State, local, and international issuing authorities, and concerned groups make recommnedations [recommendations] to the Congress for the enactment of comprehensive legislation on Federal identification systems. Such legislation shall—

“(1)

give due consideration to protecting the privacy of persons who are the subject of any identification system,

“(2)

recommend appropriate civil and criminal sanctions for the misuse or unauthorized disclosure of personal identification information, and

“(3)

make recommendations providing for the exchange of personal identification information as authorized by Federal or State law or Executive order of the President or the chief executive officer of any of the several States.”