Douglas Sinclair writes:
I don't know the US laws on pseudos. However, here in Canada one is allowed to go by whatever name one wishes PROVIDED it is not for fraudulent reasons. This also includes signatures -- I can sign as whoever I wish. However, if the contract has a clause saying "This is the name by which I am legally and correctly known" then you are commiting fraud by signing with a psuedo. This is in the fine print of a surprising number of things <sigh>.
I remember reading or hearing something similar as it applies in the United States. It seems that, as long as you're not committing a crime or a fraud, in the process, you may identify by whatever name you wish. Can anyone with a legal background confirm or deny this? However, I am wondering if it also legal to present false ID in order to insure your privacy/anonymity. And isn't misrepresenting your true identity considered to be a fraud in and of itself? For instance, can I walk into a U.S. bank, present false ID, and obtain a checking account to use for legitimate reasons? How about a credit card? Is this legal? I mean, I'm not stealing any money/products/services from anybody, I'm only using a pseudonym.