What to Do If You Receive Counterfeit Money
Safely navigate the unexpected challenge of counterfeit money. Learn practical steps to identify, handle, and report fake currency responsibly.
Counterfeit money is imitation currency created to deceive and defraud. This illegal reproduction undermines a nation’s financial system. Producing or using counterfeit money is illegal. This article provides actionable steps for individuals who encounter suspected counterfeit currency, emphasizing the importance of preventing its further circulation.
Immediate Steps After Discovery
The moment you suspect you have received counterfeit money, take specific actions to preserve evidence. Do not return the suspected counterfeit bill to the person who passed it to you, as this prevents law enforcement from investigating the source and can implicate you in criminal activity. If it is safe to do so, attempt to delay the individual without confrontation, perhaps by stating there is a cash register issue or engaging in brief conversation. While delaying them, discreetly observe and note as many details as possible about the passer, including their physical description, any companions, and vehicle details such as the license plate number.
Limit physical handling of the suspected counterfeit currency to preserve potential fingerprints or other forensic evidence. After receiving the bill, touch it as little as possible. Carefully place the suspected bill into a protective covering, such as an envelope or a plastic bag, to prevent further damage or contamination.
Immediately record identifying information from the bill, including its denomination and serial number. Document all relevant transaction details, such as the date, time, location, and how the bill was received. This information will be crucial for law enforcement.
Reporting the Counterfeit
After securing the suspected counterfeit currency and gathering information, report it to the authorities. Contact your local police department or the nearest United States Secret Service field office. Local police departments are often the initial point of contact, especially if the incident just occurred or if there is an immediate threat. They will then coordinate with the Secret Service, which is the primary agency responsible for investigating counterfeiting.
When reporting, be prepared to provide all the details you recorded. This includes the bill’s serial number, the denomination, and any descriptions you noted about the passer, their vehicle, or companions. You will also need to explain the circumstances of how you received the suspected counterfeit money, detailing the date, time, and location of the transaction. Authorities will collect the currency for analysis and investigation.
As of November 1, 2024, the United States Secret Service no longer accepts electronic submissions of suspected counterfeit currency via the USDollars website from individuals. Individuals are advised to directly contact their local Secret Service field office or local police department for guidance on reporting and surrendering the currency. Law enforcement and financial institutions then submit the currency to the Secret Service Counterfeit Currency Processing Facility (CCPF) for processing and investigation.
Understanding the Resolution
After reporting and surrendering suspected counterfeit money, individuals will not be reimbursed for its value. The government does not replace the bill with genuine currency, as counterfeit money holds no legal value. The financial loss is borne by the person or business that inadvertently accepted the fake bill.
Reporting counterfeit currency helps law enforcement track and stop counterfeiters. The Secret Service investigates its origin and distribution networks to protect the nation’s financial system. Your action in reporting, despite not recovering the lost funds, plays a role in preventing further circulation of fake money and supporting broader efforts to maintain economic security.