1991 - 6 money habits that are illegal

That was the title of the article I was reading. The only problem was the first illegal habit they mentioned was not illegal.

Here are the six categories.

1. Signing someone else's name on a check
2. Using someone else's identity to obtain credit
3. Lying on a home loan application
4. Writing 'bad' checks
5. Copying U.S. currency
6. Defacing U.S. currency

As for number 1 the problem with their explanation is that it assumes you are committing fraud. My Dad who was a bank auditor told me a long time ago that you have to prove intent to defraud to prove forgery. I asked a lawyer recently about this and the law hasn't changed.

Example - If you get a check made out to you and your spouse, you can sign your spouses name on the back of the check.

Another example was the one from the real estate attorney I talked to. Someone who is not at a real estate signing can have another person sign their name. All they have to do is get permission over the phone.

I'm sure there are more examples.

As for number 3?  That was the start of the economic collapse in 2008.

Number 4? Write a what?

Number 5? You can but with caveats. See the article.

Number 6? Yeah right, don't ever write on money. But I guess the 'Where's George' stamp is OK.