Counterfeit money is illegally reproduced currency intended to deceive as legal tender, a serious federal and state offense. It reduces the value of genuine money, contributes to inflation, and can finance other criminal activities.
How to Spot Counterfeit Money (U.S. Currency)
The U.S. Currency Education Program recommends the "Look, Feel, Tilt" method to check for the advanced security features embedded in genuine bills.
Look
Watermark: Hold the bill up to a light source to see a faint, embedded image (a watermark) of the portrait that appears on the bill. It should be visible from both sides.
Security Thread: An embedded plastic thread runs vertically in a specific location for each denomination. When held to a light, the thread is visible and imprinted with the letters "USA" and the bill's denomination.
Microprinting: Use a magnifying glass to check for tiny, sharp text in specific areas, such as around the portrait or on the security threads. The text should be crisp, not blurry.
Printing Quality: Genuine bills have sharp, well-defined borders, seals, and fine line details. Counterfeit bills often appear dull, blurred, or flat.
Red and Blue Fibers: Look for tiny, genuine red and blue fibers embedded within the paper. Counterfeiters often try to print or draw these on the surface.
3-D Security Ribbon (on $100 bill): The most recent $100 bills have a blue 3-D security ribbon woven into the paper. Bells and "100"s move side to side when the note is tilted back and forth.
Feel
Raised Ink (Intaglio Printing): Genuine U.S. currency is printed using a special process that creates a slightly raised, rough texture, which you can feel, especially on the portrait's vest or the borders. The paper itself has a unique, slightly fabric-like feel (75% cotton, 25% linen) and does not contain starch.
Tilt
Color-Shifting Ink: On denominations $10 and higher, the number in the lower right corner will change color (e.g., from copper to green on a $100 bill) when the bill is tilted.
Ultraviolet (UV) Light Check: The security thread in each denomination glows a specific color under UV light:
$5 bill: Blue
$10 bill: Orange
$20 bill: Green
$50 bill: Yellow
$100 bill: Pink
What to Do If You Suspect Counterfeit Money
If you believe you have received a counterfeit bill, follow these steps:
Do not return it to the person who gave it to you if you can avoid confrontation safely.
Delay the passer if possible, but prioritize personal safety.
Take a mental note of the passer's physical characteristics and, if applicable, their vehicle's license plate number and description.
Limit handling of the bill and place it in an envelope to preserve evidence.
Contact authorities immediately. You should notify your local police department or the nearest U.S. Secret Service field office.
It is illegal to knowingly pass counterfeit currency, and you will not be reimbursed for any confiscated fake bills
Credit card cloning is a form of fraud involving the theft of card data, often through "skimming" or "shimming" devices on card readers, which is then used to create a functional duplicate for unauthorized purchases. This illicit process can occur at physical terminals, through RFID interception, or via data breaches and phishing attacks.
How to Protect Yourself
Monitor statements: Regularly review transactions for suspicious activity.
Inspect terminals: Look for signs of tampering, such as loose, bulky, or misaligned card readers at ATMs and pumps.
Secure your PIN: Shield the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN to thwart hidden cameras.
Use secure technology: Prioritize chip transactions over magnetic stripes, and opt for contactless mobile payments (e.g., Apple Pay) which often use tokenization.
Use alerts: Enable real-time transaction notifications from your bank.
What to Do If Your Card Is Cloned
Contact your bank: Immediately report the theft and deactivate the card.
Dispute charges: Formally dispute fraudulent transactions, keeping in mind that the Fair Credit Billing Act often limits liability to $50.
Monitor reports: Check credit reports with bureaus like Equifax for unauthorized activity.
File reports: Report the incident to the FTC
