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If you're uncertain about the authenticity of a bill, here's how to confirm its real value. Possession, production, or use of counterfeit money is illegal; proven intent to defraud under federal law can result in hefty fines and up to 20 years imprisonment. If you come across fake currency, it must be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Procedures
Inspecting Security Measures
Utilize Light Source Inspection. For all bills except $1 and $2 denominations, a security thread should be visible when held against light. This thread, embedded in the paper, runs vertically beside the Federal Reserve Seal. On authentic bills, it should read 'USA' followed by the denomination, either spelled out or in numerals depending on the bill value. These security features prevent counterfeiting by bleaching and reprinting lower denomination bills.
Utilize UV Light for Security Thread Examination. High-denomination bills should emit specific colors under UV light: $5 glows blue, $10 glows orange, $20 glows green, $50 glows yellow, and $100 glows pink. If the bill remains white, it's likely counterfeit.
Verify Watermarks. Hold the bill to natural light to spot a watermark depicting the individual on the bill's portrait. Watermarks appear on $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills (series 1996 and later), and on $5 bills (series 1999-2006, 2006 and later feature a '5' watermark instead of Lincoln's portrait).
Observe Color-Shifting Ink. Certain bills feature ink that changes color when tilted: $100, $50, and $20 bills (series 1996 and later), and $10 bills (series 1999 and later). Older designs changed from green to black; recent designs change from copper to green.
Inspect Micro-Printing. Look for tiny, nearly invisible words or numbers added to $5 and higher denomination bills since 1990. Genuine bills have crisp, clear micro-printing, while counterfeits often have blurred text.
Visual Authentication
Inspect Borders. Authentic bills boast clear, unbroken borders with sharp, well-defined saw-tooth points on seals. Counterfeit bills often display uneven, blunt, or broken saw-tooth points and may show ink bleeding along the borders due to differing printing methods.
Examine Portraits. Authentic bills feature sharp, detailed portraits that stand out from the background, while counterfeit bills may have dull, blurred images. Use a magnifying glass to check for repeated text along the portrait's rim, a feature challenging for counterfeiters to replicate.
Verify Serial Numbers. Authentic bills have matching serial numbers with even spacing and alignment. In contrast, fake bills may feature mismatched serial numbers and colors compared to the Treasury Seal. Consistent serial numbers across multiple bills may indicate counterfeit notes.
Tactile Inspection
Assess Paper Texture. Genuine currency, made from cotton and linen fibers, feels crisp and durable compared to ordinary paper. The raised ink produced in the intaglio printing process adds a distinct texture that counterfeiters struggle to replicate.
Notice Thickness. Authentic money, subjected to high printing pressure, tends to be thinner and crisper than counterfeit bills. Counterfeiters typically use thin rag paper, resulting in a thicker feel compared to genuine currency.
Compare with Authentic Bills. Holding the suspect bill next to a known authentic one of the same denomination and series may reveal differences in texture and appearance. While the design of money may change, the genuine feel remains consistent over time.
Proper Handling of Counterfeit Money
Avoid Counterfeiting. It is illegal to possess, produce, or use counterfeit money. Failure to report counterfeit banknotes can leave you vulnerable to legal repercussions. If you suspect counterfeit currency, inspect it immediately and report it to the Secret Service.
Recall the Person Passing the Bill. If possible, delay the individual who handed you the counterfeit money to remember details about their appearance and any potential accomplices. Note down their license plate number if applicable. It's essential to remember that the person passing the counterfeit bill may not be the original counterfeiter.
Inform Law Enforcement. Contact your local police department or the nearest United States Secret Service field office to report the counterfeit money.
Handle the Banknote with Care. Place the counterfeit bill in a protective covering, like an envelope or sandwich bag, to preserve any potential evidence such as fingerprints or chemical traces. This also ensures you don't confuse the counterfeit bill with genuine currency.
Label the Suspect Banknote. Write your initials and the date in the white border areas of the counterfeit banknote or on the protective covering. This helps identify when the counterfeit was detected and who noticed it.
Complete the Secret Service Counterfeit Report. Submit a Department of Homeland Security's Counterfeit Note Report for each suspected counterfeit banknote. You can find the form online and must fill it out when submitting a counterfeit note to the authorities.
Hand over the counterfeit currency to authorities. Give the note or coin only to a properly identified police officer or a U.S. Secret Service special agent. Provide as much information as possible about the passer and any accomplices.
Helpful Tips
- Genuine bills have clear and unbroken fine lines in the border. Counterfeit bills may have blurred or indistinct lines in the outer margin and scrollwork.
- The $1 and $2 bills have fewer security features compared to other denominations, which makes them less targeted by counterfeiters.
- When identifying counterfeit bills, focus on differences rather than similarities. Even if a counterfeit bill looks similar, one distinct difference likely indicates it's fake.
Important Warnings
- Passing counterfeit money can lead to charges of forgery, fraud, or theft at the state level, in addition to federal charges.
- Possessing, producing, or using counterfeit money is illegal at the federal level and can result in fines and up to 20 years in prison if intent to defraud is proven. Seek legal advice if facing allegations of intent to defraud.
