How to tell if money is fake

Possessing counterfeit money carries a hefty penalty. Here’s how to spot a fake bill and report it.

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Shirley Liu's headshot

By

Chelsey Hurst

&

Shirley Liu

Updated

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If you’re given a counterfeit bill, you could have it confiscated — or even end up in trouble yourself if you spend it. Learn how to make sure your money is genuine.

Key takeaways

  • Canadian money has security features you can use to check if a bill is genuine, such as raised ink, a plastic-like texture and transparent windows with detailed images.
  • If you receive a counterfeit note, contact your local police immediately and provide any details you remember about the person who gave it to you.
  • Anyone who handles cash can receive a counterfeit note, but you can reduce your risk by checking bills carefully and getting cash from a bank or ATM when you need it.

How to tell if money is counterfeit

Canadian money has a number of identifying characteristics and security features you can use to check if a bill is genuine. The Bank of Canada has released various series of bills that have slightly different security features. Still, many of those features are consistent throughout all of the series.

Below are some general guidelines to help you detect possible counterfeits.

Real $20 bill for counterfeit example
The image of the $20 bill above, which belongs to the Frontiers series, was taken from the Bank of Canada’s website.

1. Texture

Genuine money has a distinctive texture. Canadian bills are printed on a special polymer paper that feels smooth and like plastic. If you touch a bill and it doesn’t feel right or familiar, it might be a counterfeit. Examine it more closely for further signs of counterfeiting.

Plastic currency was only introduced in 2011, so keep in mind that some older paper-bills may still be in circulation.

2. Raised ink

An important security feature on Canadian bills is distinct areas with raised ink. If the bill is genuine, there are 2 areas where you should be able to feel raised ink when you rub the bill between your fingers:

  • The large number value. For example, you should be able to feel the outline with your fingers of the large “20” printed on the front of a $20 bill.
  • The words “Bank of Canada” and “Banque du Canada” on the front of the bill.

3. Small leaf transparent window

You should see a small frosted maple leaf with a transparent outline above the large number value. The transparent component is difficult to counterfeit, so the absence of it could be an indication that the bill is fake.

4. Metallic portrait in the large transparent window

Inside the larger transparent window you should see a metallic portrait, also known as a hologram. The portrait should be the same as the larger portrait on the front of the bill. It should also change colour as you tilt the bill. A mirrored version of the same portrait will appear on the back of the bill as well.

This is one of the hardest security features to replicate – making it one of the best checks for counterfeit money.

5. Number value in the large transparent window

Also in the large transparent window, you should see repeating numbers that match the bills monetary value. For example, on a $20 bill there should be a small “20” repeating in a line. These numbers should appear near the word “Canada” beneath the metallic portrait. “Canada” should feel slightly raised to the touch.

6. Border of maple leaves around the large transparent window

Running along the edge of the large transparent window should be an arched row of maple leaves. The row should also cross into the transparent window.

7. Building illustrated in the large transparent window

Near the bottom edge of the large transparent window, you should be able to see a somewhat detailed picture of a building – not just an outline. The building should change colour when you tilt the bill. The specific building pictured is unique for each denomination.

8. Serial number

Each bill has a unique serial number. If you receive multiple suspicious bills and the serial numbers are the same on all of them, they’re counterfeits.

There are several databases that claim to have nearly comprehensive lists of every legitimate bill in circulation. You can potentially verify if a bill is a fake by checking if its serial number appears in one of these databases.

Altered bills vs. counterfeit bills

Not all fake bills are printed from scratch. It is also possible to take smaller bills, like $5 or $10 bills, and alter them to look like $50 or $100 bills. These will feel real, but features like mismatched hologram images will likely give them away.

What to do with a counterfeit banknote

According to the Bank of Canada, you should immediately contact local police if you get a counterfeit bill. Try to remember any characteristics of the person who gave you the bill, and write down their license plate number and/or vehicle description if they get in a car.

How to avoid counterfeit currency ending up in your wallet

With digital security increasing, debit and credit cards might be the easiest escape from the risks of counterfeit currency.

But it’s not always possible to go completely cashless.

Learn how to identify counterfeit money, and take a moment to inspect anything you’re given — especially if it’s a large bill. If you need to get cash, get it from a bank or ATM rather than getting cash back at a store.

Bottom line

Learning how to identify counterfeit bills can help prevent you from accidentally accepting them. But the safest way to make sure your money is legitimate is to get it from a bank you trust.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

More banking guides from our experts

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Growth Manager (Banking & Investments)
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Chelsey Hurst is a Growth Manager at Finder, specializing in banking and investments. She loves empowering people to avoid financial pitfalls and make better decisions with their money. Chelsey has a Bachelor of Science from Redeemer University, a Master of Science from McMaster University, and has won multiple awards for research communication. In her spare time, Chelsey enjoys cooking and taking long walks in nature. See full bio

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Chelsey has written 127 Finder guides across topics including:
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Shirley Liu is Finder's global program manager. She was previously the publisher for banking and investments and has also written comparisons for energy, money transfers, Uber Eats and many other topics. Shirley has a Master of Commerce and a Bachelor of Media, Journalism and Communications from the University of New South Wales. She is passionate about helping people find the best deal for their needs. See full bio

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