What would be the legality of copying money to be stored and used in the event of another robbery?

Question

Recently I was beaten & robbed for the 2nd time this year. They got $70 plus my Treo Phone. The phone was insured, but the money wasn't. Taxi ridership is down over 50%. Currently it takes 60+ hours to clear $300-$400/week after expenses. To top things off, a few days before, an unlicenced/uninsured drunk driver hit me causing $2600 in damage.

I got to thinking that the robbers just grabbed the first money they see and run. Perhaps what I need to do is create some fake money for the next time. I could print in small letters on the back that the money is fake, age it, than put it into a small money pouch in the side pocket of the door. The real money goes into a drop safe that I recently installed.

If I simply hide the money, they would continue to beat me until I said where it was, but with fake money, I would just point it out to them. Perhaps in the pouch I could also sprinkle a little iching powder. What do you think?

The thugs order a taxi to an address they have seen taxi frequent. Whoever shows up gets hit, so it's not me, but rather that I take care of calls that are not being covered by other drivers. I hate seeing people in the neighborhoods being forced to do without the service they need, especially the elderly, which was the case with this last address.

Answer 1

i say go for it. as long as the money says its fake somewhere, and you're not using it to go shopping, you wont get in trouble. you could even print on it "this is used as a theft deterrent". and go for the itching powder! i'd also put a camera hidden near the bag that will get a good shot of their face as they reach for it. and maybe some kind of UV powder in the bag, something that doesnt look like much in normal light, but lights up under UV light. that way if the cops catch them, they just need to turn on a black light and see whats on their hands.

you get away without getting beat up AND they get caught. at which point you can sue them for anything you possibly can.

Answer 2

From what I've read so far the only way you can legally copy money is for advertising purposes only.

Check with your state's gun laws. Some states allow carrying a concealed weapon with the proper paperwork. Also, try installing a fake 'web cam' and then place a sign somewhere on your dashboard stating 'this taxi is being electronically monitored at all times.' The sign might deter some thieves.

Also, is there any way you can turn in your fares during your shift? If you can, I would start doing so...that way you'll have less for the thieves to take. Good luck.

Answer 3

Run away from the country which cannot give you protection. Here you cannot change the social order in a day. The government and Non-governmental organisations are doing nothing to difuse such activities. Religion and ethics will not do anything this with the robbers. You are helpless. Either you should work to change the mentality of the thieves or work for social upliftment or run away for life.. where you can live without fear... you are targeted.. means certain features in you make them target you... Hurry up decide other wise your life is in danger!

Answer 4

Sounds like you need to find another job, with all the problems you face daily.

As for the legality, banks have dye packs of fake bills that explode a short time after being activated. But I'm unsure how they get around the counterfeit laws.

Answer 5

Firstly sorry to hear about your robber - there really are some d**ks around!!

The minute you press 'copy' when money is involved you're breaking the law.


It's up to you what you do but what if you gave them the fake money and they came back to get you for taking the p*ss out of them!!?? It could be quite dangerous.

Good Luck :o)

Answer 6

Copying money for any purposes is (in the US) a federal felony.

Unless the money is clearly not legal tender, and makes no claim to be on its face -- like monopoly money or disney dollars. Or one-sided pictures that could not passed off as currency.

Answer 7

Reproduction of US currency in color or black and white is permitted as long as the reproductions are less than three-fourths or more than one and one-half the size of the original and one-sided. Size restrictions apply whether using the whole or a portion of any bill. Additionally, care must be taken to dispose of negatives, scans, or other materials used in creating the reproductions. Authority: 18 UNITED STATES CODE; 504: Treasury Directive Number 15-56 FR 48539 (September 15,1993) 411.1 Color illustrations authorized.

Reproduction of Canadian currency is allowed as long as it is for a lawful use such as educational or advertising but such representations cannot be in color and must be sufficiently larger or smaller than the original, as outline below.

EXTRACT OF SECTION 457 (of the Criminal Code governing reproduction of Canadian notes)
4. No person shall be convicted of an offence under subsection (3) in relation to the printed likeness of a Canadian bank note if it is established that the length or width of the likeness is less than three-fourths or greater than one-and-one-half times the length or width, as the case may be, of the bank note and

(a) the likeness is in black and white only; or

(b) the likeness of the bank note appears on only one side of the likeness.

Answer 8

Why go through the trouble of printing counterfeit money when you could buy a gun?

They attempt to rob you, then shoot them.You wouldn't have to kill many before the other would-be thieves get the idea.

You do have a right to protect yourself and your property.

Answer 9

Call the U.S. mint. I worked for a publishing company which wanted to put a picture of the U.S. dollar bill on a magazine cover. We were unsure . . . the mint explained the regulations to us and were very, very helpful.

Answer 10

You have to ask yourself, what make you such an enticing target for thugs. THen correct that.