How To Detect Counterfeit Money Merchants have a role in maintaining the integrity of our currency. You can help guard against the threat from counterfeiters by becoming more familiar with United States currency. Look at the money you receive. Compare a suspect note with a genuine note of the same denomination and series, paying attention to the quality of printing and paper characteristics. Look for differences, not similarities.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has a number of free materials you can download:   Training Poster for Cash Handlers - A large version of the graphic above.  Brochure - Provides an in-depth look at the new $50 note.  Security Feature Insert Sheet - Use this handy guide to the security features of the new currency.   Glossies of The New Color of Money - These 'glamour' shots of our new currency can be used for information and training purposes.  Take-One Cards - A single source of information on the new $50 notes that all cash handlers and merchants can keep handy.   They also have a web page that will let you order hardcopy posters, flyers, CD-ROMS, and videos for free.   Click here to go to the order page for these items.  It is really amazing what they have to offer, but then again, these are your tax dollars at work.
	Portrait The genuine portrait appears lifelike and stands out distinctly from the background. The counterfeit portrait is usually lifeless and flat. Details merge into the background which is often too dark or mottled.
	Federal Reserve and Treasury Seals On a genuine bill, the saw-tooth points of the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals are clear, distinct, and sharp. The counterfeit seals may have uneven, blunt, or broken saw-tooth points.
	Border The fine lines in the border of a genuine bill are clear and unbroken. On the counterfeit, the lines in the outer margin and scrollwork may be blurred and indistinct.
	Serial Numbers Genuine serial numbers have a distinctive style and are evenly spaced. The serial numbers are printed in the same ink color as the Treasury Seal. On a counterfeit, the serial numbers may differ in color or shade of ink from the Treasury seal. The numbers may not be uniformly spaced or aligned.
	Paper Genuine currency paper has tiny red and blue fibers embedded throughout. Often counterfeiters try to simulate these fibers by printing tiny red and blue lines on their paper. Close inspection reveals, however, that on the counterfeit note the lines are printed on the surface, not embedded in the paper.

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