A false lien is a lien that has no factual or legal basis, or is based upon false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations. The filing of false liens is sometimes used as a tool of harassment in paper terrorism, often against government officials. The practice was pioneered by the Posse Comitatus.[1] The Bureau of Prisons has responded by treating lien documents and personal information (such as Social Security Numbers) of federal agents, judges, etc. as contraband in federal prisons.
The U.S. Congress has criminalized the filing of false liens[2] and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines treat the filing of a false lien against a government official as equally serious to threatening the government officials of the United States.[3] Various U.S. states have been developing innovative ways of combating false liens.[4]