HOW TO DETECT COUNTERFEIT MONEY
We've all probably been handed a counterfeit bill at some palm in our lives. and. completely unaware. we"! on to spend it. Of course it goes without all saying. counterfeiting is a serious crime: in fact it was at one time considered treason in the US and was punishable by death. But how do you know you have a bill in your possession? Here is a simple guide to help you protect yourself from getting scammed -���or from getting in trouble.
A very brief history of counterfeiting
1800s- A Wealth of Designs
counterfeiting was a breeze during the Civil War as each bank printed its own bills. That amounted to 7000 different varieties of bills floating around, making it nearly impossible to detect fakes. It is estimated that up to half of the currency in circulation back then was counterfeit.
The secret service- in July 1865, the U.S. Secret service was established for the sole purpose of investigating counterfeiting rings and enforcing counterfeiting laws
Present- The fight today: It's true that the secret service has substantially diminished the amount of counterfeit money in circulation today, but it still represents a threat to the U.S. economy. As technology becomes more sophisticated, criminals are finding new ways to reproduce the features that distinguish real currency from fake.
It's an art not a science
It takes experience and keen senses to decipher real money from fake. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
1. Look at your money- before we get into the nitty-gritty it's important to remember to look at your money. if you see anything remotely suspicious then move on to the next step.
2. compare with other bills- if you have a suspicious looking bill compare it with a bill of a similar denomination that you are sure is genuine. The key is to look for differences not similiarities
3. observe the portrait- if the portrait does not sharply stand out against the background, it is likely counterfeit. The lines should be clean and distinct, bringing the figure to life.
4. observe the seals- the seals of the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury are the green and the black sawtooth circles found to the left and right of the portrait.
5. examine the border- like the lines of the portrait, the intricate border should be crisp and clean and evenly spread away from the border around the entire note. If the lines look hazy and have inconsistencies, then it is probably counterfeit
6. serial number- the serial number should be evenly spaced and exactly the same color as the treasury seal
7. feel the paper- feeling the bill with your hands may prove just as useful as seeing it with your eyes. If you've felt US currency before, you know that the texture has a distinct feel. Blue and red fibers are also embedded within the paper.
Key security features
1. security strip- different denominations have different security strips embedded within that will glow different colors when viewed beneath a black light
2. watermark- there is a watermark revealing an image of the person whose portrait is on the bill. Since 1996, the watermark is found on the $10 bills and higher. It was integrated in the $5 bill in the 1999 series
3. color shifting ink- on current bills in denominations of $10 and higher, special ink is used which appears to change color when the note is tilted
What you should do if you receive a counterfeit
1. don't return it to the person who gave it to you
2. delay the person who gave it to you
3. write down a detailed description of the person who gave it to you
4. place the note in a protective envelope/ folder/sleeve
5. call the police and surrender the counterfeit note
What you shouldn't do if you receive a counterfeit
1. spend it
2. perform a citizen's arrest
3. call 911
4. scream for help
5. burn it MERICA BOGUS BILLSE HOW TO DETECT 4247727 C COUNTERFEIT MONEY We've all probably been handed a counterfeit bill at some point in our lives, and, completely unaware, went on to spend it. Of course it goes without saying, counterfeiting is a serious crime; in fact it was at one time considered treason in the US and was punishable by death. But how do you know if you have a fake bill in your possession? Here is a simple guide to help you protect yourself from getting scammed -or from getting in trouble. A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF COUNTERFEITING A WEALTH OF DESIGNS THE FIGHT TODAY Counterfeiting was a breeze during the It's true that the Secret Service has Civil War as each bank printed its own substantially diminished the amount of bills. That amounted to 7.000 different THE SECRET SERVICE counterfeit money in circulation today, varieties of bills floating around, but it still represents a threat to the U.S. In July 1865, the U.S. Secret Service making it nearly impossible to detect fakes, It is estimated that up to one- economy. As technology becomes more was established for the sole purpose sophisticated, criminals are finding new half of the currency in circulation of investigating counterfeiting rings ways to reproduce the features that back then was counterfeit. and enforcing counterfeiting laws. distinguish real currency from fake. 1800's PRESENT IT'S AN ART, NOT A SCIENCE It takes experience and keen senses to decipher real money from fake. Here are some general guidelines to follow in order to protect yourself from being the victim of a counterfeit scam the next time you are paid in cash. RESERVENOUEM TENDER TH C AND RRIVATE TES OFAMERICA SLRGALTENDEte A 6421 B: WAS A 64 27C (1) Bas 1. Look at your money 2. Compare with other bills .I13. Observe the Portrait Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it's important to remember to look at your money. If you see anything remotely suspicious, then move on to the next steps. If the portrait does not sharply stand out against the background, it is likely counterfeit. The lines should be clean and distinct, bringing the figure to life. The image on a counterfeit looks truly like a dead president - blotchy and lifeless. If you have a suspicious-looking bill, compare it with a bill of the same denomination that you are sure is genuine The key is to look for differences, not similarities. 4. Observe the Seals ---. ."5. Examine the Border 16. Serial Number The seals of the Federal Reserve and the The serial number should be evenly Like the lines of the portrait, the intricate border should be crisp and clean and evenly spaced away from the border U.S. Treasury are the green and black spaced and exactly the same color as the Treasury Seal. sawtooth circles found to the left and right of the portrait. On a real example, the teeth on the wheel are sharper than a razor, not blunt and broken like you'd find on a fake. around the entire note. If the lines look hazy and have inconsistencies, then it is probably counterfeit. 7. Feel the Paper .. Feeling the bill with your hands may prove just as useful as seeing it with your eyes. If you've felt U.S. currency before, you know that the texture has a distinct feel. Blue and red fibers are also embedded within the paper; counterfeiters will often replicate this by drawing thin lines on the money, which upon close examination are merely external. It's also illegal to reproduce the paper used to make U.S. currency. KEY SECURITY FEATURES 20 NOTE C 189 IN 2. D4 RICA 60B RAL THIS NOTE 1S LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ID 228 lame Ecckado Calal Ca Trearer of the Umid Stutes Secretary of the Tra SERIES 2006 WE NTY ACKSON 3. Color Shifting Ink . On current bills in denominations of $10 and higher, special ink is used which appears to change color when the note is tilted. 1. Security Strip 2. Watermark Different denominations have security strips embedded within that will glow different colors when viewed beneath a black light. There is a watermark revealing an image of the person whose portrait is on the bill. Since 1996, the watermark is found on $10 bills and higher. It was integrated into the $5 bill in the 1999 series. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF WHAT YOU SHOULDN'T DO IF YOU RECEIVE A COUNTERFEIT YOU RECEIVE A COUNTERFEIT 1. Don't return it to the person who gave it to you 1. Spend it 2. Delay the person who gave it to you 2. Perform a citizen's arrest i 3. Write down a detailed description of the person who gave it to you 3. Call g11 credit sesame ww.nreciteam.com 4. Place the note in a protective covering, like a folder, an envelope, or a plastic sleeve 4. Scream for help 5. Burn it 5. Call the police and surrender the counterfeit note
