Many people are banking incorrectly, misunderstanding the true nature of financial obligations and the protections available to them under the law. According to 18 U.S. Code § 8, an "obligation or other security of the United States" is defined broadly, indicating that all such obligations fall under the purview and responsibility of the U.S. Treasury. This includes Federal Reserve bank notes, coupons, United States notes, Treasury notes, gold certificates, silver certificates, fractional notes, certificates of deposit, bills, checks, or drafts for money. This has profound implications for how we understand debts and bills.