How to Spot Counterfeit Money
The best way to spot counterfeit money is to use a counterfeit detector. Separate options check different bill traits like security threads or microprint, so review all your options to find the counterfeit detector that will best fit your business's needs. Checking for multiple factors is also critical because technology improvements make fakes harder to spot.
Counterfeit Detector Pens
Counterfeit pens are a great starting point because they are easy to use. However, this type of detector will not work on bleached bills. As a standard method of counterfeiting, bleached bills have a lower denomination's printing bleached off, then are re-printed with a higher denomination.
How it Works: Use an iodine-based ink that reacts with starches contained in wood. The ink remains clear or slightly yellow for genuine bills but turns dark for counterfeits.
Tests For: Correct paper
UV Lights
UV lights are also inexpensive and easy to use. Simply shine the light over the paper to spot invisible security features like watermarks or hidden markings.
How it Works: Used to show the security threads, ribbons, and watermarks in money or markings on customers' IDs.
Tests For: Security threads, watermarks, hidden markings
UV Light and Counterfeit Pen Combos
A UV light and counterfeit pen combo allows you to test both the paper and invisible security features. This dual checker reduces the risk of a counterfeit slipping through the cracks.
How it Works: Has a pen on one end and a UV light on the other to test currency paper, security threads, and watermarks at once.
Tests For: Correct paper, security threads, watermarks
UV Light Systems
UV light systems are more complex than standard UV lights, but they detect the same things. However, they are designed specifically to test bills, so they have more accuracy.
How it Works: Features a UV light set in a base with indicators to show where security threads should be. Place a bill on the light to see if the security thread lines up correctly and glows the correct color.
Tests For: Security threads, watermarks
Currency Counter and Detector
For businesses bringing in high volumes of cash, a currency counter and detector is the safest option to quickly process a large number of bills. This machine counts your money and weeds out any counterfeits simultaneously.
How it Works: Most models use UV, magnetic, and infrared technology to find counterfeits.
Tests For: Security threads, magnetic ink, size
Magnifying Glasses
If you don't have options available, a magnifying glass works well in a pinch. It provides a closer view of bills for visible errors that could point to a counterfeit, but it relies on your staff knowing what flaws to identify.
How it Works: Allows you to look for errors in the printing of the bill, like the presence or absence of microprinting. They can also make it easier to read serial numbers.
Tests For: Printing errors, microprinting
FAQs
To spot counterfeits, look for the absence of features like security threads, UV properties, watermarks, and color-shifting inks. Fake bills can sometimes have a few of these features, but it's difficult to replicate all of them perfectly.
How do you Recognise fake money? ›
To spot counterfeits, look for the absence of features like security threads, UV properties, watermarks, and color-shifting inks. Fake bills can sometimes have a few of these features, but it's difficult to replicate all of them perfectly.
How to tell if a $100 bill is real? ›
Security Thread
Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the left of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the letters USA and the numeral 100 in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows pink when illuminated by ultraviolet light.
How to tell if a $20 bill is real? ›
The $20 note includes an embedded security thread that glows green when illuminated by UV light. When held to light, a portrait watermark of President Jackson is visible from both sides of the note.The note includes a color-shifting numeral 20 in the lower right corner of the note. close video Click here to begin.
How to tell counterfeit $1 bills? ›
Examine the serial numbers.
Fake bills may have serial numbers that are not evenly spaced or that are not perfectly aligned in a row. If you received multiple suspicious bills, see if the serial numbers are the same on both bills. If they are the same, then they are counterfeit notes.
Can ATM detect fake money? ›
First, the ATM's validator determines the dimensions of the banknote and scans it in different spectrums: visible, magnetic, IR, UV. It allows to verify all major signs of authenticity. With the help of magnetic sensors, the validator checks the presence and correct location of magnetic ink.
How to check fake money with phone? ›
Capture an image of your banknote with either the front-facing or back-facing camera on your mobile device. Once the denomination has been detected, the app will display the key security features that are visible on genuine currency.
How to check if a U.S. dollar is real? ›
Security Thread All genuine FRNs, except the $1 and $2, have a clear thread embedded vertically in the paper. The thread is inscribed with the denomination of the note and is visible only when held to light. Each denomination has a unique thread position and glows a different color when held to ultraviolet (UV) light.
How to check fake money with pen? ›
When you make a mark on genuine money with the pen, the mark will remain pale yellow. Simply put, when you mark on real money, there is no chemical reaction, and the mark stays yellow. When you mark on a counterfeit bill, a chemical reaction occurs, and the mark turns dark.
What do I do if I get a fake $100 bill? ›
Report suspected counterfeit currency to your local authorities. Law enforcement agencies, banks and cash processors will submit suspected counterfeit currency to the Secret Service through our USDollars website.
Making or using fake money is a serious crime that can get you up to 20 years in jail. Both federal and state laws punish counterfeiting, and fines can be very high. You must know the money is fake to be guilty; if it's an accident, you might not be charged.
What is the most counterfeited bill? ›
The United States' counterfeit problem is mostly limited to its paper bills, with coin counterfeiters mostly focusing on collectible coins. The $20 bill is the most commonly counterfeited banknote in the U.S., while overseas counterfeiters are more likely to make fake $100 bills.
Do $2 bills have watermarks? ›
The $2 bill's serial number is just one of many security features that make it difficult to counterfeit. Like other dollar bills, $2 bills have a security thread, watermarks, and color-shifting ink.
How to spot fake notes? ›
Printing. Raised print is used in some of the features on genuine banknotes and should feel slightly rough to the touch. Lines and print should be sharp and well defined with no blurred edges. Colours should be clear and distinct – not hazy.
What if I accidentally took counterfeit money at work? ›
If you suspect that you have received counterfeit money, contact your local law enforcement agency or the relevant authorities to report the incident.
What does a fake $100 bill look like? ›
The color change of copper/green to black on the 100 in the lower right corner will help you verify an authentic $100 bill. A fake bill will not turn to black when you tilt the bill. It will stay copper/green.
What is the number one way to identify fake currency? ›
The best way to determine whether a note is genuine is to rely on the security features, such as the watermark and security thread.
How do you detect counterfeit dollars? ›
The fine lines in the border of a genuine bill are clear and unbroken. On the counterfeit, the lines in the outer margin and scrollwork may be blurred and indistinct. Genuine serial numbers have a distinctive style and are evenly spaced. The serial numbers are printed in the same ink color as the Treasury Seal.
What is used to detect fake currency? ›
An authentic paper currency will fluoresce when it is illuminated by long wave ultraviolet light.
