Prohibition Against Misuse of Treasury Names, Terms, Symbols, Stationery, Etc.

Section 333 of title 31 of the United States Code prohibits the misuse of names, terms, symbols, and stationery of the Department of the Treasury or its subdivisions for business activities that could be reasonably construed as falsely implying that such activities are authorized by the Treasury.

Despite this legal prohibition, businesses sometimes send solicitations that are crafted to look like they are sent by Treasury. These solicitations often contain disclaimers stating that the businesses are neither government agencies nor affiliated with any government agencies, but the use of any disclaimer is legally irrelevant to the determination of whether the statute has been violated.

How You Can Help

Such mailings are illegal under section 333 and can result in significant civil and criminal penalties, including administrative levy of monetary assessments by the Treasury Inspector General against those who misuse protected Treasury words or marks.

Our continued success in protecting the public from such misuse or misrepresentation depends on your help. If you receive such a solicitation, please send it to us at the following address: