How to Check for Counterfeit Money in the US

In the US, counterfeit money is often made to look like genuine US currency, but there are some key differences to look out for.

Counterfeit bills are more likely to have blurry or missing security threads, which are thin strips embedded in the paper to prevent counterfeiting.

To check for security threads, hold the bill up to the light and look for the color-shifting ink and security threads that run through the paper.

You can also check the serial number, which should be printed in black ink on the right-hand side of the bill.

If the serial number is printed in a different color or has a different font, it may be a counterfeit bill.

Legitimate bills have a distinctive texture and feel, with a slightly rougher surface than counterfeit bills.

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The US Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and the US Mint produce genuine US currency.

Genuine US currency has a unique serial number that can be verified online through the Treasury Department's website.

The color-shifting ink in the "100" in the lower right corner of a $100 bill is a key indicator of authenticity.

The security thread in genuine US currency glows pink when held under UV light.

Counterfeiters often try to replicate the look of genuine currency, but they may not get the details right, such as the color of the ink or the texture of the paper.

The raised printing on the Great Seal of the United States on the back of a $1 bill is a good indicator of authenticity.

Take a look at this: How to Check If Your $2 Bill Is Worth Money

To check if a bill is genuine, you can use a combination of touch and sight. Hold the bill up to the light to see if it has a security thread running from top to bottom, which is present on all bills except the $1 and $2 dollar bills.

The security thread should glow a specific color when viewed under an ultraviolet (black) light, so try using one to see if it lights up. If the thread doesn't glow or appears uneven, it might be a counterfeit.

You can also check for watermarks, which are images of the person whose portrait is on the bill. To do this, tilt the bill and examine the color-shifting ink, which appears to change color when the bill is tilted.

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US currency has some amazing security features that can help you spot a fake bill. One of the first things you can do is hold the bill up to the light and look for a security thread running from top to bottom.

The security thread is usually a plastic strip that's embedded in the paper, and it's a great way to verify the authenticity of a bill. But did you know that some bills have color-shifting ink that changes color when you tilt the bill? It's like magic!

If you're using an ultraviolet light, you can see that the plastic strips in high-denomination bills glow a specific color. This is another way to check if a bill is real.

You can also check for watermarks by looking at the bill with natural light. Watermarks are images of the person on the bill that are embedded in the paper, and they're usually visible when you hold the bill up to the light.

But watermarks aren't the only security feature. You can also check for micro-printing, which are small words or numbers that are hardly visible to the naked eye. These are usually only visible with a magnifying glass.

Here are some security features to look out for on different denominations of US currency:

You can also check the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals on the bill. Real bills have sharp and clear logos, while fake bills might have uneven or dull seals.

And finally, if you're still unsure about the authenticity of a bill, try scratching your fingernail across the shoulders of the person on the bill. Real bills have ridges that you can feel, while fake bills might be smooth.

The border of a US bill is a crucial security feature that can help you spot a counterfeit. On a genuine bill, the fine lines in the border are clear and unbroken.

If you take a closer look, you'll notice that the lines in the outer margin and scroll work on a genuine bill are crisp and well-defined.

You can spot counterfeits by using money detector machines that cover all bases, including Infrared, Magnetic, color spectrum, and optical density analysis. These machines can analyze a bill in just a second and eliminate the chance of human error.

Inspecting the printing quality is another way to identify counterfeit bills. Fake bills tend to have a relative flatness and lack of detail, unlike real money which is printed with high-quality methods that are difficult to replicate.

To judge by sight, look at the borders, portrait, and serial numbers. The outside border of real money should be clear and unbroken, and the serial numbers should be evenly spaced and in the same color as the Treasury Seal.

Here are some key differences to look out for:

Remember to also feel the texture of the paper and notice the thinness of the bill, as counterfeit money often feels different and is thicker than real money.

Identifying counterfeit bills requires a keen eye and some basic knowledge of what to look for.

Inspect the printing quality, as fake bills tend to have a relative flatness and lack of detail.

Look at the borders, as the outside border of real money should be "clear and unbroken", according to Secret Service officials.

The genuine portrait appears lifelike and stands out distinctly from the background, while the counterfeit portrait is usually lifeless and flat. Details merge into the background, which is often too dark or mottled.

The paper of real U.S. bills is made with a blend of 25% linen and 75% cotton interwoven with tiny red and blue security fibers, giving them a unique feel.

A serial number, which appears twice on the front, is made up of a letter at the beginning and ends with eight numbers in the middle. The first letter, from A to L, corresponds with the regional federal bank that originally distributed the bill.

Here are some key differences to look out for when checking a bill's serial numbers:

You can also use a money detector machine, which uses Infrared, Magnetic, color spectrum, and optical density analysis to quickly identify counterfeit bills.

We've had some amazing reader success stories when it comes to identifying counterfeit bills.

Bob Conrad was able to use a razor blade to "pick out" the colored thread to eliminate the possibility of it being printed on the paper, which helped him verify that the bill was not counterfeit.

This is a great example of how paying attention to details can make a big difference in staying safe from counterfeit bills.

Some common methods that have been used to verify the authenticity of bills include using a razor blade to check for colored thread, which is a common feature on genuine bills.

We've also had readers share their own tips and tricks for identifying counterfeit bills, and we're excited to share some of them with you.

Here are a few methods that have been mentioned:

These are just a few examples, and there are many other methods that can be used to identify counterfeit bills.

Remember, staying safe from counterfeit bills requires a combination of knowledge, attention to detail, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

The $5 bill has a light purple center that blends into gray near the edges. This makes it stand out from the single dollar bill.

Abe Lincoln graces the front of the $5 bill, with the Lincoln Memorial on the back. The Treasury seal remains on the right, but the seal to the left is now of the entire Federal Reserve System rather than just one regional federal bank.

The $5 bill has two watermarks on the front, both including the number 5. These watermarks can be seen from either side of the bill by holding it up to the light.

The security thread on the $5 bill glows blue in UV light and has an alternating pattern of “USA” and “5”. This thread is an added security feature to prevent counterfeiting.

The serial number on the $5 bill consists of two letters followed by eight numbers and a letter. The first letter corresponds with the year the note was designed, while the second represents the regional federal bank that distributed the bill.

The $10 bill is tinted with orange, yellow, and red.

The $10 bill features Alexander Hamilton on the front and the U.S. Treasury Building on the back. The seals, serial numbers, and some of the other imagery are similar to those of the $5 bill.

A watermark on the right side of the front shows a lighter image of Hamilton when the bill is held up to the light.

The security thread, running vertically just to the right of the main Hamilton image, includes in capital letters the words “USA TEN” and glows orange under ultraviolet light.

Microprinting below Hamilton’s portrait includes the words “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “TEN DOLLARS USA,” while “USA 10” appears below the image of the torch.

The number 10 on the lower-right corner of the front changes colors from copper to green when you tilt the note 45 degrees.

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The $50 bill has a distinctive design featuring Ulysses S. Grant on the front and the U.S. Capitol on the back.

The background colors of the bill are red and blue, with microprinted text "FIFTY", "USA", and "50" appearing inside some of the blue stars on the left front.

A security thread runs vertically to the right of Grant's portrait, displaying the words "USA 50" in yellow under ultraviolet light.

The "50" on the bottom right of the front is printed with color-shifting ink.

A watermark of Grant's face can be seen from both sides of the bill.

The $100 bill is the biggest target of counterfeiters, which is why it was redesigned in 2013 with some added security features.

One of the coolest features of the new $100 bill is a blue 3D security ribbon woven into the paper, with images of bells and the number 100 that look like they're moving when you tilt the bill.

The bill also has microprinting in several places, including "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in capital letters on Benjamin Franklin's collar.

A bell inside of a copper-colored inkwell appears to the left of the color-shifting 100 on the front, and it looks like it disappears when tilted.

You can also find the words "ONE HUNDRED USA" along a golden quill to the right of Franklin, and the border has a pattern of 100s.

A security thread runs vertically to the left of the portrait, with the text "USA" and "100" that lights up in pink under ultraviolet light.

Out There, counterfeit bills can be quite convincing. Counterfeit bills can be made to look almost identical to real ones.

The US Treasury Department has a website where you can check if a bill is real or not. This website is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to verify the authenticity of a bill.

The security thread in a real $100 bill glows pink when held under UV light. This is just one of the many security features that make it hard to counterfeit a bill.

Some counterfeit bills may have blurry or uneven printing. This can be a sign that the bill is not real.

The 3D Security Ribbon in a real $100 bill has images that shift and change as you move the bill. This is another security feature that makes it hard to counterfeit a bill.