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How to tell if money is fake

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

Shirley Liu
Shirley Liu

Updated

Fact checked

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.

How to identify a counterfeit bill

US money has a number of identifying characteristics you can use to check if a bill is genuine.

1. Texture

Genuine money has a distinctive texture. 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.

2. Colored fibers

Genuine bills will have red and blue threads woven into them. Counterfeiters will sometimes try to replicate these by printing red and blue lines onto the bills, so compare the texture against another bill — preferably from a bank.

3. Color-shifting ink

For bills that are $10 and higher, the number in the bottom right corner will appear to change colors if you look at it from a different angle. Depending on what the denomination is and when it was printed, it may shift from copper to green or green to black.

Color shifting ink was first added in 1996, so some older bills may not have this feature.

4. The watermark

If you hold the bill up to the light, you should see a watermark on the right side. Depending on how old the bill is, it may be an oval or a replica of the face on the bill. If the watermark is a face that doesn’t match the one in the middle of the bill, it’s a counterfeit.

5. Serial number

Each bill has a unique serial number. If you receive multiple suspicious bills and the serial numbers match, they’re counterfeits.

The serial number should also correspond to the series number on the bill. The US Department of the Treasury has a table that shows what the first letter of the serial number should be based on the series.

6. Printing

US bills have raised printing, and all lines should be sharp. Look for irregularities in definition between bills as well as lines wavering in thickness, color or clarity.

7. Security thread

Each denomination has a unique security thread placement and color. Place the bill under a blue light to see what color it glows, and check that it matches the official guidelines for currency denominations.

8. Security ribbon

New $100 bills will also have a blue 3D security ribbon with the several of the number 100 and bells printed on it.

Altered bills vs. counterfeit bills

Not all fake bills are printed from scratch. An increasingly common method of counterfeiting is taking smaller bills, like $5 or $10 bills, and altering them to look like $50 or $100 bills. These will feel real, but mismatched security strips and watermarks will give them away.

What to do with a counterfeit banknote

According to the Federal Reserve, 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.
Compare bank accounts that make getting cash free and convenient

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

Image source: Getty Images

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