How to Tell If Cash Is Fake: Security Features & Steps

Counterfeit currency poses a threat to financial stability and public trust. The circulation of fake money leads to economic losses for individuals and businesses, as fraudulent bills hold no real value. Understanding how to identify counterfeit currency is a practical skill for anyone handling cash, helping to protect against financial harm and contributing to the integrity of the nation’s currency.

Key Security Features of U.S. Currency

Genuine U.S. currency possesses distinct security features designed to deter counterfeiting, which can be identified through tactile and visual inspection. The paper itself is a unique blend of cotton and linen, giving it a crisp, durable feel that differs significantly from regular printing paper. Raised printing, particularly noticeable on the portrait and other design elements, can be felt by running a finger across the bill’s surface.

Holding a genuine bill up to a light source reveals embedded security features. A watermark, a faint image matching the portrait, is visible when light passes through the paper, appearing on the unprinted space to the right of the portrait. A security thread, a thin embedded strip, also becomes visible, typically running vertically.

The security thread contains text spelling out the denomination and “USA” or “US.” Its location and text vary by denomination; for instance, on a $5 bill, it’s to the right of the portrait, while on a $20 bill, it’s to the left. The $100 bill’s thread is to the left of the portrait and glows pink under ultraviolet light.

Tilting the bill reveals color-shifting ink. The numeral in the lower right corner on denominations of $5 and higher changes color when tilted, typically from copper to green. On the redesigned $100 bill, the numeral shifts from copper to green, and the Bell in the Inkwell also changes color.

Microprinting, tiny, intricate text, is present in various locations on the bill, such as within the portrait’s border or along the security thread. This text is difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce clearly and often appears as a solid line or blur on fake bills. Fine-line printing, characterized by extremely thin and detailed lines, is incorporated into the design patterns, making them challenging to replicate without blurring.

Red and blue security fibers are randomly embedded throughout the paper of all genuine U.S. banknotes. These small, colored fibers are an integral part of the paper, not merely printed on the surface. Serial numbers, located on both sides of the bill, should be distinct, evenly spaced, and match in color and font. Borders surrounding design elements should be clear, unbroken, and sharp.

Each denomination incorporates specific features. For example, the $100 bill features a 3-D security ribbon woven into the paper, containing images of bells and 100s that move as the bill is tilted. The $50 bill includes a security thread to the right of the portrait that glows yellow under ultraviolet light. Examining a bill by checking multiple features, rather than relying on just one, provides the most robust method for determining its authenticity.

Steps to Take with Suspected Counterfeit Currency

Upon encountering a suspected counterfeit bill, handle the situation carefully to avoid legal repercussions and assist authorities. Do not attempt to return the bill to the person who gave it to you, nor should you try to spend it. Passing on fake currency, even unknowingly, can be considered a criminal act.

Minimize handling of the suspected bill to preserve potential evidence, such as fingerprints. Place the bill in a protective covering, like an envelope or plastic bag, to prevent further damage and maintain its condition for forensic examination.

Gather information about the bill’s source. Note the date, time, and location of the transaction, and any descriptive details about the person who passed it to you. This information can be crucial for investigators.

Contact your local police department or the U.S. Secret Service, the primary agency for investigating counterfeit currency. You can usually reach your local police department via their non-emergency phone number to report the incident. They will provide instructions on how to proceed, often involving taking the bill to them or having an officer collect it.

Cooperate fully with law enforcement, providing all details and the suspected counterfeit bill. Your cooperation assists in the investigation and helps prevent further circulation of fraudulent currency. Reporting suspected counterfeit money is a civic duty that helps protect the broader economy.