8.30 Falsely Making, Altering, Forging or Counterfeiting a Writing to Obtain Money from United States (18 U.S.C. Sec. 495) is an act that is punishable under federal law. This criminal offense is committed when a person makes, alters, forges, or counterfeits any writing or document in order to obtain money or property from the United States. This includes making or altering checks, money orders, bonds, or other financial instruments. Types of 8.30 Falsely Making, Altering, Forging or Counterfeiting a Writing to Obtain Money from United States (18 U.S.C. Sec. 495) include: • Making a false document: Creating a document with false information in order to obtain money or property from the United States. • Altering a document: Changing or adding to an existing document in order to obtain money or property from the United States. • Forging a document: Imitating a legitimate document in order to obtain money or property from the United States. • Counterfeiting a document: Creating a document that is an exact copy of a legitimate document in order to obtain money or property from the United States.