counterfeiting
Counterfeiting occurs when a person intentionally copies or imitates an item without authorization and represents the imitation as genuine. While counterfeiting is most commonly associated with currency, it also applies to consumer goods, such as designer clothing, handbags, watches, pharmaceuticals, and other trademarked products.
The counterfeiting of United States obligations or securities is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. §§ 470 – 514. These statutes prohibit the manufacture, possession, or use of counterfeit currency, government bonds, postage stamps, or other official instruments, as well as the trafficking of counterfeit goods and services.
Counterfeiting is often categorized as a form of white-collar crime and may also involve violations of trademark law or intellectual property law, depending on the nature of the goods involved.
[Last reviewed in October of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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