How to Spot Counterfeit Bills

Spotting counterfeit bills can be accomplished with a few smart tricks. Anyone who works at a job where cash is handled needs to be able to maintain a working knowledge of counterfeit bills. Most convenience store clerks, bank tellers, and cashiers should be able to spot a fake.

In today's world, there are many opportunities for counterfeiters: photocopying and imaging technology is cheap and ubiquitous. Some copy-stores have implemented anti-counterfeit measures in their properties. They make an effort to proclaim the statement "These premises shall not be used for copying of American currency." Software, such as Adobe Photoshop, has anti-counterfeiting measures installed to prevent such copying.

At some smaller, privately-owned convenience stores, clerks will go so far as to have a "Wall of Shame", displaying the fake currency that people have used.

Despite the challenges of spotting fake cash, there are a few simple ways to be aware of counterfeit money.

The first is the security strip. Any American 20, 50, or 100 dollar bill has a security strip in on its side. Hold a twenty-dollar bill up to the light and you can see it, it says "USA 20"

The second is the ink. Real American currency's ink will not smudge, run, or leak when wet. If the ink is at all smudged, it will show through.

The third is the paper. Rub the paper between your fingers, it's tough and stiff. This paper is made from a composite of materials for durability and use. If the paper does not feel real, it probably is a counterfeit bill.

Fourth, with the new American paper currency, the portrait of the president is large and oval. There are a few subtle marks that you can view, such as the fine-etching around the United States of America banner, and other micro-printing.

The final way to spot a counterfeit bill is to view the watermark. This watermark is to the right of the face on the bill. No watermark means possibly fake. To view the watermark, you must hold the bill up to the light.

While it's tricky to spot a counterfeit, the most important way to spot a fake is to PAY ATTENTION. If you don't, regardless of these security measures, then there's no way to stop the transference of illegal currency.

Keep in mind that counterfeit currency greatly damages a society - the cost of having fake currency in a system causes the money to be worth less. And many times, counterfeit currency pays for narcotics, terrorism, and organized crime. Every time you take fake currency out of the economy, you stop crime and improve society.