How to Spot Counterfeit US Dollars

The US dollar is the most widely used currency in the world. It is accepted as a medium of exchange in many countries and regions, and it plays a vital role in the global economy. However, this also makes it a target for counterfeiters who try to produce fake bills and pass them off as genuine ones. Counterfeit money can cause serious problems for individuals and businesses who unknowingly accept them, as they can lose their value and face legal consequences.

In this article, we will delve deeper into how you can spot counterfeit US dollars by examining the security features of real and fake bills. We will also provide you with some links to video examples that demonstrate these checks in practice.

Feel the Texture and Compare the Bill

One of the first things you should do when you receive a US dollar bill is to feel its paper quality and texture. Real US dollar bills are made of a special blend of cotton and linen fibers that give them a distinctive feel. They are also slightly rough to the touch, especially on the portrait and the seal areas. Fake bills, on the other hand, are usually made of ordinary paper or plastic that feels smooth and thin.

To check the paper quality and texture of a US dollar bill, you can do the following:

• Rub your fingers across the bill and feel its thickness and stiffness.
• Hold the bill up to the light and look for tiny red and blue fibers embedded in the paper.
• Tilt the bill back and forth and observe how the light reflects off the paper.

Another technique is to compare the suspect bill with another bill of the same denomination and series. Look for differences in texture, printing quality, and overall appearance.

Watermark and Portrait

Another way to spot counterfeit US dollars is to look at the watermark and the portrait on the bill. The watermark is a faint image of the same portrait that appears on the front of the bill, but it is only visible when you hold the bill up to a light source. The portrait is a detailed engraving of a historical figure that varies depending on the denomination of the bill. Both the watermark and the portrait should match each other and be clear and sharp.

To check the watermark and the portrait of a US dollar bill, you can do the following:

• Hold the bill up to a light source and look for the watermark on the right side of the bill.
• Compare the watermark with the portrait on the front of the bill and make sure they are identical.
• Examine the portrait closely and look for fine lines and details that are hard to replicate.

Here is the video example: How to spot counterfeit money

Security Thread and Color-Shifting Ink

Another security feature that can help you identify counterfeit US dollars is the security thread and the color-shifting ink on the bill. The security thread is a thin strip of plastic that runs vertically through the bill. It has different colors, widths, and positions depending on the denomination of the bill. It also has microprinting of “USA” and the denomination that can be seen under magnification. The color-shifting ink is a special ink that changes color when you tilt the bill at different angles. It is used on some parts of the bill, such as the number in the lower right corner or the liberty bell in some newer bills.

To check the security thread and color-shifting ink of a US dollar bill, you can do the following:

• Hold the bill up to a light source and look for the security thread embedded in the paper.
• Compare the color, width, position, and microprinting of the security thread with the denomination of the bill.
• Tilt the bill back and forth and observe how the color-shifting ink changes from green to black or from copper to green.

Video example: Former Secret Service Agent Explains How to Detect Counterfeit Money

Optically Variable Ink

Optically variable ink (OVI) is another type of special ink that changes color when viewed from different angles. It is used on some parts of newer US dollar bills, such as the large number in the lower left corner or the eagle in some bills. OVI ink has two distinct colors that can be seen under different lighting conditions: one color reflects light directly, while another color reflects light at an angle.

To check the optically variable ink of a US dollar bill, you can do the following:

• Tilt the bill back and forth or side to side and observe how the optically variable ink changes from gold to green or from green to black.
• Compare the optically variable ink with other parts of the bill that use normal ink.

Watch Out for Raised Bills

Raised bills are low denomination bills that have been altered to appear as higher denominations. Always compare the numbers in the corners to the denomination written out at the bottom of the bill.

Be Cautious with Counterfeit-Detection Pens

While a counterfeit-detection pen can be a useful tool, it's important to know its limitations. These pens react to the presence of starch and can only identify bills printed on the wrong kind of paper. They may not detect more sophisticated forgeries or provide accurate results for genuine bills that have been through a wash. 

Further Reading: WHY COUNTERFEIT PENS ARE NOT RELIABLE?

Using Professional Detection Devices

In addition to the methods mentioned above, you can also use some professional detection devices to spot counterfeit US dollars. These devices can help you examine some of the security features that are not visible to the naked eye, such as microprinting, optically variable ink, ultraviolet features, and multidimensional barcodes.

Microprinting and Optically Variable Ink

Microprinting is a technique that uses very small text that can only be seen under magnification. It is used on some parts of US dollar bills, such as the border of the portrait or the security thread. Optically variable ink is a special ink that changes color when viewed from different angles. It is used on some parts of newer US dollar bills, such as the large number in the lower left corner or the eagle in some bills.

To check the microprinting and optically variable ink of a US dollar bill using a professional device, you can do the following:

• Use a magnifying glass or a microscope to look for the microprinting on the bill.
• Compare the microprinting with the denomination and the design of the bill.
• Use a device that can change the angle of light to look for the optically variable ink on the bill.
• Compare the optically variable ink with other parts of the bill that use normal ink.

Using Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength shorter than visible light. It can reveal some hidden features on US dollar bills that are not visible under normal light, such as fluorescent fibers, security threads, and watermarks.

To check a US dollar bill using ultraviolet light, you can do the following:

• Use a UV lamp or a flashlight that emits UV light to shine on the bill.
• Look for fluorescent fibers embedded in the paper that glow under UV light.
• Look for the security thread that glows in different colors depending on the denomination of the bill.
• Look for the watermark that appears darker than the surrounding paper under UV light.

Multidimensional Barcode

A multidimensional barcode is a type of barcode that can store more information than a traditional one-dimensional barcode. It is used on some newer US dollar bills, such as the $100 bill. It contains information about the serial number, series, and denomination of the bill. It can be scanned by a special device that can decode its data.

To check the multidimensional barcode of a US dollar bill, you can do the following:

• Use a device that can scan and read multidimensional barcodes to scan the barcode on the lower left corner of the bill.
• Compare the information displayed by the device with the information printed on the bill.
• Look for any discrepancies or errors that indicate a counterfeit bill.

Using Magnifying Glass

A magnifying glass is a simple device that can enlarge small objects or details. It can help you examine some of the security features on US dollar bills that are hard to see with the naked eye, such as microtext and holograms.

Microtext is a type of text that is very small and can only be read under magnification. It is used on some parts of US dollar bills, such as around the portrait or on the security thread. Holograms are images that appear three-dimensional when viewed from different angles. They are used on some newer US dollar bills, such as on the liberty bell or on Benjamin Franklin’s jacket.

To check the microtext and holograms of a US dollar bill using a magnifying glass, you can do the following:

• Use a magnifying glass to look for microtext on the bill.
• Compare the microtext with the denomination and design of the bill.
• Use a magnifying glass to look for holograms on the bill.
• Tilt the bill at different angles and observe how the holograms change appearance.

Using Professional Money Counter

A professional money counter is a machine that can count and verify large amounts of money quickly and accurately. It can also detect counterfeit bills by using various methods, such as UV light, magnetic ink, infrared light, size detection, and image recognition.

To check a US dollar bill using a professional money counter, you can do the following:

• Insert the bill into the money counter and let it scan and count it.
• Look at the display screen and see if the money counter shows any error messages or warnings that indicate a counterfeit bill.
• Compare the counted amount with the expected amount and look for any discrepancies.

Conclusion

In this article, we have shown you how to spot counterfeit US dollars by using various methods and techniques. We have also provided you with some video examples that demonstrate how to perform these checks in practice. We hope you have learned something useful and interesting from this article.

If you are a US reader, we encourage you to stay vigilant and careful when dealing with money transactions. Make sure you check the authenticity of the US dollar bills you receive and use, and avoid accepting or passing any counterfeit bills. This way, you can ensure your financial security and avoid any legal troubles.

If you are interested in buying a professional money counter or other detection devices, you can check out our homepage https://www.ribaostore.com/ for more information. Thank you for reading this article and have a nice day!