How to Tell If Your Dollar Bills Are Fake

Ensuring the authenticity of currency is a fundamental skill in everyday financial interactions. While the overall volume of counterfeit currency in circulation within the United States remains relatively low, estimated at approximately one note in every 40,000 to 80,000 genuine notes, being able to identify genuine bills helps protect individuals from financial loss. Counterfeit notes lack legitimate backing and can cause economic disruption if widely accepted. Understanding the distinct features of genuine U.S. currency is therefore an important part of safeguarding personal finances and maintaining trust in the monetary system.

Examining Paper and Print Quality

Genuine U.S. currency possesses a unique tactile feel due to its specific composition. Unlike typical paper, dollar bills are made from a durable blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen, giving them a distinct crispness and resilience. Running a finger across a genuine bill reveals a slightly rough texture. This texture helps distinguish authentic currency from the smoother, flatter feel of many counterfeits.

The printing on genuine currency also exhibits remarkable precision. U.S. bills are produced using intaglio printing, a method where ink is applied to engraved plates, and then transferred to the paper under immense pressure. This process creates a raised ink effect that can be felt, particularly on the portrait, borders, and numerical values. Counterfeit bills often lack this raised ink, feeling flat because they are typically produced using conventional printing methods.

The images and borders on authentic bills are exceptionally sharp and clear. Fine lines in the scrollwork and around the portraits should be distinct and unbroken, without any blurriness, smudges, or pixelation. The intricate details present in genuine currency are challenging for counterfeiters to reproduce accurately, often resulting in muddy or less defined features on fake notes. The ink used on U.S. currency is specially formulated and consistent in color, with the backs of all denominations traditionally printed in green ink. Genuine bills use inks that are deeply embedded and do not bleed when wet, unlike lower-quality counterfeits.

Identifying Key Visual Security Features

Modern U.S. currency incorporates several security features.

Watermark

The watermark is a faint image embedded in the paper. When held up to a light, this image becomes visible and, for denominations of $10 and higher, it should exactly match the portrait on the bill. The $5 note features two watermarks of the numeral “5” instead of the portrait.

Security Thread

The security thread is a thin, embedded strip that runs vertically through the bill. This thread is present in denominations of $5 and higher, and its position varies for each denomination. When held to light, microprinting, such as “USA FIVE” or “USA 100,” is visible within the thread, and under ultraviolet (UV) light, the thread glows a specific color unique to its denomination; for example, the $5 bill’s thread glows blue, and the $100 bill’s glows pink.

Color-Shifting Ink

Color-shifting ink is a feature on denominations of $10 and higher. The numeral in the lower right corner on the front of these bills is printed with this special ink, which changes color when the bill is tilted. For instance, the numeral on a $10 bill will shift from copper to green. On the $100 bill, the “Bell in the Inkwell” also displays this color-shifting property.

Microprinting

Microprinting is tiny text difficult to read without magnification. This text can be found in various locations, such as around the portrait, within the security thread, or along the borders. While appearing as a solid line to the naked eye, genuine microprinting is crisp and clear under a magnifying glass, whereas counterfeits often appear blurry or illegible.

3D Security Ribbon

Newer $100 bills feature a 3D Security Ribbon. This blue ribbon, woven into the paper, contains images of bells and “100s” that appear to move when the bill is tilted. As the bill is moved, the bells and 100s shift. This feature is woven into the paper, not merely printed on its surface.

All genuine U.S. currency paper contains small, randomly dispersed red and blue fibers embedded throughout.

Checking Unique Bill Identifiers

Unique identifiers on each bill provide further avenues for verification. The two serial numbers located on the front of the bill, one on the upper left and one on the lower right, should precisely match each other. These serial numbers must also be evenly spaced and printed in the same color ink as the Treasury Seal. Any discrepancies in spacing, alignment, or color can indicate a counterfeit.

The Federal Reserve Seal, a black circular seal on the left side of the portrait, and the green Treasury Seal on the right side, are also important indicators. On genuine bills, the saw-tooth points around the edges of both seals should be sharp, clear, and distinct. Blurry, uneven, or broken points on these seals are often signs of a counterfeit. The Federal Reserve seal also includes a letter and number designation that corresponds to one of the twelve Federal Reserve Banks, and this letter should match the second letter of the serial number.

Small plate numbers or letters are also present on the front and back of the bill, serving as production identifiers. While less commonly used for quick authentication, these numbers should be clear and well-defined on genuine currency. Their presence and clarity contribute to the overall integrity of the bill’s printing.

Responding to Suspected Counterfeits

If you suspect you have received a counterfeit bill, it is important to handle the situation responsibly and legally. Never attempt to re-circulate a suspected counterfeit, as knowingly passing fake currency is a federal crime that carries significant penalties, including potential fines and imprisonment. Retaining or spending counterfeit money can lead to financial losses and legal repercussions.

To preserve potential evidence, handle the suspected bill as minimally as possible. Avoid folding it, writing on it, or transferring it to other individuals. Instead, immediately place it in a protective envelope or bag. It is also important to recall any details about how you received the bill, such as who gave it to you, when, and where the transaction occurred.

Promptly contact your local police department or the United States Secret Service to report the suspected counterfeit. The Secret Service is the primary federal agency responsible for investigating counterfeiting. When reporting, provide all the details you remember about the bill’s origin. Law enforcement authorities will confiscate the suspected counterfeit for investigation, and it is important to understand that you will not be reimbursed for the value of the bill.