Using a false writing / 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1001(a)(3) is the federal crime of making, using, or possessing false statements or documents with the intent to defraud the United States. This crime falls under the category of white collar crime, and it is punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine, or both. There are two types of using a false writing / 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1001(a)(3): making false statements and making false documents. Making false statements involves lying or falsely representing facts to a government official with the intent to deceive or mislead them. Making false documents involves creating and using documents that contain false information for the purpose of deceiving or misleading the government. Using a false writing / 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1001(a)(3) is a serious crime, and it carries severe penalties. Those who are convicted of this crime may face up to 5 years in prison, a fine, or both. It is important to note that this crime is separate from perjury, which involves lying while under oath.