How to Tell if a $20 Bill Is Fake?

Counterfeit currency can result in financial loss. Understanding how to identify a genuine $20 bill protects against inadvertently accepting a fake one. This article provides guidance on key security features to check for authenticity.

Key Security Features to Check

A prominent feature on genuine $20 bills is the color-shifting ink on the numeral “20” in the lower right corner. When tilted, this numeral changes color from copper to green. This optical variable ink is difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.

Holding the bill to a light source reveals a watermark, an image of President Andrew Jackson to the right of the portrait. This watermark is embedded within the paper and is visible from both sides, appearing translucent.

A security thread is an embedded feature, appearing as a vertical strip when held to light. This thread has “USA TWENTY” or “USA 20” repeatedly printed along its length. The thread is integrated into the paper.

Genuine currency has a distinct tactile feel from raised printing, also known as intaglio printing. Running a finger over President Jackson’s portrait or the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals reveals a rough, textured surface. This raised ink is a hallmark of authentic bills.

Microprinting involves tiny text that appears as a solid line to the naked eye. For example, “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is inside the border of the portrait, and “USA 20” is on the security thread. These details are difficult for standard printers to reproduce clearly.

Small red and blue security fibers are randomly embedded within the paper. These fibers are an integral part of the paper’s composition, unlike counterfeits where markings might be printed on the surface. They add complexity for fraudulent replication.

The serial number appears twice on the front of the bill. Both instances should be clearly printed, evenly spaced, and match the color of the Treasury Seal on the right side. Any discrepancies in spacing or color indicate a counterfeit.

The paper is a security feature, composed of a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. This composition gives genuine currency a distinct crispness and durability that differs from regular paper. Printing on an authentic bill is exceptionally sharp. All lines, details, and borders should be well-defined, without blurriness, smudges, or breaks in the ink.

Additional Verification Methods

Simple tools can aid in verifying a $20 bill’s authenticity. A UV (ultraviolet) light can check the security thread, which should glow a specific color. For a $20 bill, the embedded security thread will glow green under UV light, while the rest of the bill remains dull.

A magnifying glass is useful for inspecting details of microprinting and the sharpness of lines in the bill’s design. This magnification can reveal illegible text or broken, fuzzy lines, which are signs of a counterfeit.

Comparing a suspect bill side-by-side with a genuine $20 bill is an effective method. This comparison allows for identification of differences in color, texture, and placement of security features.

Counterfeit detector pens contain an iodine-based ink that reacts with starch, common in regular paper. When drawn across a genuine bill, the mark will remain clear or light amber, indicating the absence of starch. Conversely, on most counterfeit bills made from common paper, the mark will turn dark brown or black. However, these pens have limitations as they may not detect sophisticated counterfeits printed on bleached genuine currency paper, which lacks starch.

What to Do with Suspected Counterfeit Currency

If you suspect you have received a counterfeit $20 bill, it is important to handle it carefully to preserve potential evidence. Do not return the suspected counterfeit bill to the person who passed it to you, as this could allow them to continue circulating fraudulent currency. Minimizing handling of the bill is crucial, so place it into an envelope or plastic bag immediately.

Discreetly note any identifying details about the person who passed the bill, such as their physical appearance, clothing, and any companions. Also, remember the circumstances surrounding the transaction, including the exact time, the location, and how you received the bill. This information can be valuable for law enforcement.

Contact the local police department or the United States Secret Service, as they are the primary investigative agency for counterfeiting. You can typically find the non-emergency phone number for your local police online or by calling 911 and asking to be connected to the non-emergency line. Report the incident and provide all the details you have gathered.

Cooperate fully with law enforcement officials when they investigate the suspected counterfeit. Providing accurate information and the bill itself is essential for their work. It is important to understand that knowingly passing or attempting to pass counterfeit currency is a federal crime, punishable by fines or imprisonment.