How to spot a counterfeit billLook and Feel This is as far as most people go, and it's good enough most of the time. U. S. bank notes are printed on special paper that's 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen. The linen gives it an extra stiffness that's distinctive. There are red and blue fibers imbedded in the paper. Bank notes are printed with a process called "intaglio" that leaves ink on top of the paper, giving the money a distinctive texture. The printing is very high quality, so the lines are sharp and clear, not broken, fuzzy or blobby. Color-Shifting In Notes larger than the $5 bill use color-shifting ink to print the number showing the denomination in the lower-right-hand corner. Look at the numbers head-on, and then from an angle. For genuine notes the color will shift (copper-to-green or green-to-black). You can get this far pretty discreetly. Check the look and feel of the bill automatically as soon it is handed to you. You can confirm the color-shifting ink with a quick glance. Going further will require that you hold the note up to the light, which is basically saying that you think that you might have received counterfeit money. A lot of people hesitate to do this, but it's the next step if you want to be sure. Watermark All bills larger than a $2 now have a watermark; hold the bill up to the light to see it. For the $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills, the image matches the portrait. You can use the watermark to spot bills that have been bleached and reprinted with a higher denomination. The watermark is part of the paper and is visible from the rear of the note as well. Security Thread All bills larger than a $2 have a security thread running vertically through the bill. Like the watermark, you hold the bill up to the light to see it. The thread has text with the bill's denomination and an image that is unique to that denomination. The different denominations have the threads in different places, again so you can spot bills that have been bleached and reprinted with a higher denomination. The threads also glow different colors under ultraviolet light. Genuine Bills If a bill: Then it's almost certainly a genuine bill. If you believe that you may be in possession of counterfeit money, please contact the law enforcement agency serving your jurisdiction, or check with your financial institution. They are willing to assist with counterfeit money detection. If you have been scammed by accepting counterfeit money in exchange for merchandise sold or services provided, please file a case report with your law enforcement agency. |
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