{"id":824143,"date":"2019-12-19T12:35:28","date_gmt":"2019-12-19T17:35:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/?p=824143"},"modified":"2024-11-05T21:37:38","modified_gmt":"2024-11-06T02:37:38","slug":"how-to-spot-a-counterfeit-note","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/banking\/how-to-spot-a-counterfeit-note","title":{"rendered":"How to tell if money is fake"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re given a counterfeit bill you could have it confiscated \u2014 or even end up in trouble yourself if you spend it. Learn how to make sure your money is genuine.<\/p>

How to tell if money is counterfeit<\/h3>

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<\/a> has released various series of bills that have slightly different security features. Still, many of those features are consistent throughout all of the series.<\/p>

Below are some general guidelines to help you detect possible counterfeits based on the Frontiers series in circulation as of December 2019.<\/p>

The 8 ways to identify a counterfeit bill:<\/h4>
  1. Texture<\/a><\/li>
  2. Raised ink<\/a><\/li>
  3. Small leaf transparent window<\/a><\/li>
  4. Metallic portrait in the large transparent window<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>
    1. Number value in the large transparent window<\/a><\/li>
    2. Border of maple leaves around the large window<\/a><\/li>
    3. Building illustrated in the large window<\/a><\/li>
    4. Serial number<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>

      \"Real
      The image of the $20 bill above, which belongs to the Frontiers series, was taken from       the bank of Canada\u2019s website.<\/a><\/em><\/small><\/p>

      1. Texture<\/h4>

      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\u2019t feel right or familiar, it might be a counterfeit. Examine it more closely for further signs of counterfeiting.<\/p>

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

      2. Raised ink<\/h4>

      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:<\/p>