Can you spot counterfeit money? Don't let counterfeiters fool you, spot fake money and report.
Please see: New Money $5, $10, $20 and $50 Bills
Spot counterfeit money and report fake bills:
Closely examine money you receive and compare suspect bills with a genuine bill of the same denomination and series. Pay attention to the quality of printing and paper, and look for differences instead of similarities.
Portrait: A genuine portrait appears lifelike and stands out distinctly from the background. The counterfeit portrait is usually lifeless and flat. Details merge into the background which is often too dark or mottled.
Federal Reserve and Treasury Seals: On a genuine bill, the saw-tooth points of the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals are clear, distinct, and sharp. The seals of counterfeit money may have uneven, blunt, or broken saw-tooth points.
Border: The fine lines in the border of genuine money are clear and unbroken. On counterfeit money, the lines in the outer margin and scrollwork may be blurred and indistinct.
Serial Numbers: Genuine serial numbers have a distinctive style and are evenly spaced. The serial numbers are printed in the same ink color as the Treasury Seal. On counterfeit money, the serial numbers may differ in color or shade of ink from the Treasury seal. The numbers may not be uniformly spaced or aligned.
Paper: Genuine currency paper has tiny red and blue fibers embedded throughout. Often counterfeiters try to simulate these fibers by printing tiny red and blue lines on their paper. But on counterfeit money the lines are printed on the surface, not embedded in the paper. It is illegal to reproduce the distinctive paper used in the manufacturing of United States currency
Suspect you've been given fake money? Turn it over to your local police or Secret Service field office. Or get more information on how to spot counterfeit money.
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