Father
Professional
- Messages
- 2,602
- Reaction score
- 798
- Points
- 113
How to distinguish genuine banknotes from counterfeit ones? The most reliable way is to go to the bank and check the money with specialists. It's free, but not always possible. Let's figure out when you need to be extra vigilant and how to distinguish real money from counterfeit on our own.
When and where is it worth checking money?
Where there are no special devices for checking the authenticity of banknotes: in a small shop, kiosk, cafe, in the market, at an unknown gas station. The risk goes up when you sell something for cash, be it a car, furniture, electronics, or personal belongings.
Always check the thousandth and five thousandth bills if you are selling something handheld or getting change in a small off-chain store or cafe.
Most often counterfeiters counterfeit five thousandth bills. Thousands "draw" less often, but we use them much more often, so the probability of finding them in our wallet is higher. Banknotes in denominations of $ 10 are rarely counterfeited, and in denominations of 5, 10, 50 and 100 - almost never, it is simply unprofitable for fraudsters.
However, the number of counterfeit banknotes is decreasing. In 2020, counterfeits were detected by 15% less than in 2020: 38.5 thousand versus 45 thousand. The number and quality of security features is growing, it is more and more difficult to counterfeit them, and a non-specialist can also verify their authenticity.
How to check a banknote without special devices?
Nowadays, banknotes and younger model are most often found, the rest are gradually deteriorating and go out of circulation. All new banknotes have common signs of authenticity, which are easy to check for light, by touch or by changing the angle of view.
Large bills should be checked especially carefully. There are additional protective features for them. Let's consider them on the example of a banknote of $ 100 in modification.
A complete list of signs of the authenticity of all banknotes can be found on the Bank website and in the Bank Banknotes mobile application. The application shows security features in an interactive format: at first they can be viewed on a smartphone screen and even simulate a light check, when tilted and by touch. Having practiced on a virtual banknote, it is easy to check all these signs on your real banknote. You can download the application in the App Store and Google Play.
By the way, even coins of large denominations have security features - hidden images. For example, on a 10 coin inside the number zero, you can alternately see the number 10 and the inscription "dollar" or "euro", if you change the angle of view.
What to do if a fake is caught?
Rule 1. You need to check the bills before they end up in your wallet. If you have the slightest doubt, don't take that kind of money.
Rule 2. If you find a suspicious banknote already in your wallet, in no case try to pay it off. If it is really fake, the least that awaits you is lengthy explanations with law enforcement agencies.
Rule 3. Take the dubious bill to any commercial bank. Perhaps the money is genuine, just damaged - then your budget will not suffer.
The examination is free. Most often, the bank's specialists carry out it right in front of you. If a bill is damaged, but subject to exchange, the bank will issue you a new one.
Sometimes bank employees have doubts. Then they send your bill to the Bank for verification. If the money turns out to be real, the commercial bank will credit it to the account you specified. If - alas and ah - the banknote is counterfeit, you will not be reimbursed for its value.
When and where is it worth checking money?
Where there are no special devices for checking the authenticity of banknotes: in a small shop, kiosk, cafe, in the market, at an unknown gas station. The risk goes up when you sell something for cash, be it a car, furniture, electronics, or personal belongings.
Always check the thousandth and five thousandth bills if you are selling something handheld or getting change in a small off-chain store or cafe.
Most often counterfeiters counterfeit five thousandth bills. Thousands "draw" less often, but we use them much more often, so the probability of finding them in our wallet is higher. Banknotes in denominations of $ 10 are rarely counterfeited, and in denominations of 5, 10, 50 and 100 - almost never, it is simply unprofitable for fraudsters.
However, the number of counterfeit banknotes is decreasing. In 2020, counterfeits were detected by 15% less than in 2020: 38.5 thousand versus 45 thousand. The number and quality of security features is growing, it is more and more difficult to counterfeit them, and a non-specialist can also verify their authenticity.
How to check a banknote without special devices?
Nowadays, banknotes and younger model are most often found, the rest are gradually deteriorating and go out of circulation. All new banknotes have common signs of authenticity, which are easy to check for light, by touch or by changing the angle of view.
Large bills should be checked especially carefully. There are additional protective features for them. Let's consider them on the example of a banknote of $ 100 in modification.
- The iridescent coat of arms: when the bill is tilted, a bright shiny strip rolls over it.
- An additional watermark is a portrait.
- Iridescent security thread on the front side: when the banknote is tilted, the individual digits of the number 100 "dance".
- Red and green moiré stripes on a plain field, noticeable when tilted.
- Microperforation, which can be seen in the light: below the coat of arms, you can see rows of micro-holes in the form of the number 100.
- Embossed edges and emblem of the Bank, convex to the touch.
- Serial number of the banknote with numbers of different heights: the numbers on the left side of the banknote smoothly increase from left to right.
A complete list of signs of the authenticity of all banknotes can be found on the Bank website and in the Bank Banknotes mobile application. The application shows security features in an interactive format: at first they can be viewed on a smartphone screen and even simulate a light check, when tilted and by touch. Having practiced on a virtual banknote, it is easy to check all these signs on your real banknote. You can download the application in the App Store and Google Play.
By the way, even coins of large denominations have security features - hidden images. For example, on a 10 coin inside the number zero, you can alternately see the number 10 and the inscription "dollar" or "euro", if you change the angle of view.
What to do if a fake is caught?
Rule 1. You need to check the bills before they end up in your wallet. If you have the slightest doubt, don't take that kind of money.
Rule 2. If you find a suspicious banknote already in your wallet, in no case try to pay it off. If it is really fake, the least that awaits you is lengthy explanations with law enforcement agencies.
Rule 3. Take the dubious bill to any commercial bank. Perhaps the money is genuine, just damaged - then your budget will not suffer.
The examination is free. Most often, the bank's specialists carry out it right in front of you. If a bill is damaged, but subject to exchange, the bank will issue you a new one.
Sometimes bank employees have doubts. Then they send your bill to the Bank for verification. If the money turns out to be real, the commercial bank will credit it to the account you specified. If - alas and ah - the banknote is counterfeit, you will not be reimbursed for its value.
