How to Detect Counterfeit Money

Even the pen can be fooled. it detects the right kind of paper. But apparently some counterfeiters bleach smaller denomination bills and then print higher denominations on them. So after checking with the pen, you should still hold it up to the light and make sure the amount on the bill matches the amount in the security strip (which can’t be faked).
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I think the “problem” of counterfeight money is overblown. The US has some of the lowest instances of counterfeighting in the world because there are so many security features in every bill, that now it is obvious when you are given fake money and when you aren’t. If you can’t see red and blue fibers in the bill scattered sporadically, then it was not made by any of the mints. If you can’t see tiny numbers inside the fancy green border, the bill is fake. Current bills printed at US mints have a watermark that is virtually impossible to duplicate. I wouldn’t spend one cent on anti-counterfeighting technology because it is pretty obvious with the latest series of bills which are real and which are fake. If you suspect a bill to be fake, call the police.

If it says “Federal Reserve Note,” as opposed to “United States Treasury,” on the bill, that’s a pretty good indicator. Also, if it says “For all debts public and private,” as opposed “pay to the bearer on demand.” We haven’t had real money since 1913.

you don’t need a blacklight or a pen! the easiest way to detect counterfeit US currency is the lapel of every person on the face of the bill is rigid. don’t believe me, rub your fingernail over it!

Those “Counterfeit Detection” pens — the ‘Dry mark’ and others that make a dark color on allegedly fake bills and notes — are worthless.

Anyone who’s had a couple of dollars go through the wash and get pressed or ironed with starch will have perfectly legitimate money all set to be tagged as fake using one of those pens.

Wanna have some fun? Take a can of spray starch (from the laundry aids section of your supermarket), and spray all your buddy’s $20’s. Using your pen method — hey! They’re now worthless fakes!

I found the tip on looking up into the light to be VERY helpful. I actually did this with all my bills I had in my wallet that were over 1 buck, and actually found one 5 bill and one 20 bill to be counterfeit! Shh, don’t tell! =]