What Does a Counterfeit Bill Look Like?

Discerning genuine bills from counterfeits is important for everyone. Counterfeit money leads to financial losses for individuals, businesses, and the broader economy. Understanding legitimate currency’s characteristics protects against fraud. This knowledge empowers the public as a front line of defense against counterfeit notes.

Key Security Features to Examine

Genuine U.S. currency is printed on a unique cotton and linen blend, providing a crisp, durable feel unlike ordinary paper. This special paper contains embedded red and blue fibers, which are part of the paper itself, not merely printed. These fibers are a primary authenticity indicator, often felt or seen upon close inspection.

Authentic banknotes feature raised printing, detectable by running a finger across the surface. The portrait, borders, and other design elements should feel rough to the touch, a result of the U.S. Treasury’s intaglio printing process. Counterfeiters struggle to replicate this effect, resulting in flat, smooth printing.

Holding a bill to light reveals a faint, translucent watermark in the unprinted area right of the portrait. This watermark should precisely match the bill’s portrait, such as Abraham Lincoln on a five-dollar bill. The image is visible from both sides.

Every genuine U.S. banknote includes a security thread, a thin strip embedded vertically through the paper. Held to light, this thread becomes visible, displaying text like “USA FIVE” for a five-dollar note. It also glows a specific color under ultraviolet (UV) light, varying by denomination.

Color-shifting ink is a sophisticated security feature on modern U.S. currency. The denomination numeral, typically in the lower right corner, changes color when tilted. For instance, it may shift from copper to green, providing a dynamic visual cue of authenticity.

Microprinting, tiny text appearing as a solid line to the naked eye, is strategically placed on genuine bills, such as around the portrait or within the security thread. Under magnification, this text should be sharp and legible, not blurred or smudged. Counterfeiters find it difficult to accurately replicate this detail.

Serial numbers on genuine currency are evenly spaced and perfectly aligned, printed with the same ink color as the Treasury seal. Each letter and number should be clear and consistent in font and size. Discrepancies in spacing, alignment, or ink color indicate a counterfeit bill.

Verifying Specific Denominations

While many security features are universal, some elements exhibit specific characteristics by denomination.

The security thread, visible when held to light, states the bill’s value and glows a distinct color under ultraviolet light for each denomination. For example, a five-dollar bill’s thread glows blue and is to the right of the portrait; a ten-dollar bill’s glows orange and is to the right; a twenty-dollar note’s glows green and is to the left. The fifty-dollar bill’s thread illuminates yellow under UV light and is to the right; the one-hundred-dollar bill’s glows pink and is to the left. These specific color responses and thread placements provide an immediate, reliable method for verifying authenticity and stated value. This feature helps differentiate denominations that might look similar in poor lighting.

Similarly, the watermark, visible when held to light, corresponds to the specific denomination’s portrait. A five-dollar bill features Abraham Lincoln; a ten-dollar bill shows Alexander Hamilton; and a twenty-dollar bill displays Andrew Jackson. The fifty-dollar note has Ulysses S. Grant; the one-hundred-dollar bill displays Benjamin Franklin. Modern U.S. currency incorporates unique background colors for different denominations: green and peach on twenty-dollar bills, orange and yellow on ten-dollar bills, or blue and red on fifty-dollar bills. These distinct colors and specific watermark images provide additional security layers.

Actions to Take with Suspected Counterfeit Currency

If you suspect a counterfeit bill, do not return it to the passer. Instead, if safe, try to delay them and observe their physical description and any vehicle information, such as the license plate number. This information is valuable for law enforcement.

After securing the bill, immediately contact your local police department or the U.S. Secret Service. These agencies investigate counterfeit currency cases. Handle the suspected counterfeit as little as possible to preserve potential evidence, such as fingerprints.

Place the bill in a protective envelope or plastic bag to prevent further handling, surrendering it only to a law enforcement officer. Intentionally passing a counterfeit bill, even unknowingly received, carries legal consequences. Reporting suspected counterfeits protects others and supports the nation’s currency integrity.