Bills Fake Money: Tips to Spot Counterfeit Bills Before You Get Duped

Spotting fake bills can be a challenge, but there are some telltale signs to look out for. The security thread in a $100 bill is yellow and runs vertically.

You can also check the color-shifting ink in the "100" in the lower right corner of the bill, which appears green when tilted. Some fake bills might have a slightly off-center or blurry image of Benjamin Franklin.

The texture of the paper is another giveaway - real $100 bills have a raised print of the Treasury Department seal in the lower right corner, while fake bills might have a flat or rough texture.

Counterfeiting American currency has become easier with the advent of sophisticated equipment. Counterfeiting has become a serious problem due to the availability of computers, printers, and copiers.

To identify counterfeit bills, look for the security thread that glows pink when held under ultraviolet light. The security thread is a key feature that can help you spot a fake.

The U.S. government has employed a variety of techniques to thwart counterfeiting, but it's still a challenge to detect counterfeit bills.

The $1 bill is a staple in our wallets, but have you ever stopped to think about how to identify if it's real or fake?

One way to verify a $1 bill is to check the paper it's made of. All U.S. bills are made with a blend of 25% linen and 75% cotton interwoven with tiny red and blue security fibers. This gives the bill a slightly rough feel when you run your finger across it.

The design on the front of the bill can also help confirm its authenticity. George Washington's likeness is on the front, flanked by the black seal of the regional Federal Reserve bank that distributed the bill. You'll find the seal on the left side of the bill.

On the right side of the front of the bill, you'll see the seal of the U.S. Treasury. This is another important feature to check when verifying a $1 bill.

The back of the bill features two images from the Great Seal of the United States. On the left, you'll see the Eye of Providence above a pyramid, and on the right, the national coat of arms featuring a bald eagle holding an olive branch and 13 arrows in its talons.

Finally, take a close look at the serial number on the front of the bill. It's made up of a letter at the beginning and ends with eight numbers in the middle. The first letter corresponds with the regional federal bank that originally distributed the bill.

The $5 bill has undergone significant redesigns, including the addition of sophisticated security features such as coloring, watermarks, and a security thread that can only be seen under ultraviolet light.

Abe Lincoln graces the front of the $5 bill, with the Lincoln Memorial on the back.

The $5 bill has a light purple center that blends into gray near the edges, making it more colorful than the single dollar.

You can see the watermark on the $5 bill from either side by holding it up to the light, and it features two watermarks on the front, both including the number 5.

The security thread on the $5 bill glows blue in UV light and has an alternating pattern of “USA” and “5.”

Microprinting is also a feature of the $5 bill, with the words “FIVE DOLLARS” printed inside the left and right borders on the front.

The eagle’s shield on the front is marked with the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “USA.”

On the back of the $5 bill, “USA FIVE” is printed on the edge of the big purple 5.

The serial number on the $5 bill consists of two letters followed by eight numbers and a letter, with the first letter corresponding to the year the note was designed and the second letter representing the regional federal bank that distributed the bill.

U.S. currency has a range of security features to help you spot fake bills.

Each denomination has slightly different security features, ranging from a $1 bill design that hasn’t changed in nearly 60 years to a $100 bill with modern security measures.

The $100 bill has a blue 3D security ribbon with images of bells that look like they’re moving when you tilt the bill, and a bell inside a copper-colored inkwell that disappears when tilted.

To spot a fake, look for the security thread that runs vertically on the left side of the bill, with the text "USA" and "100" that lights up in pink under ultraviolet light.

Holding a bill to the light can reveal a security thread that goes in a straight line from top to bottom, and a watermark of the same portrait that's on the front of the bill.

The border of a US bill is a great place to start when checking for authenticity. It's intricate, so a counterfeiter's bad print job might mess it up.

A dotty or not totally straight line could be a sign of a counterfeit bill. The line might be blurry, or the color could be darker than normal.

If the border looks off, it's worth taking a closer look.

Most counterfeiters make multiple copies of the same bills, so it's odd if multiple bills have the exact same serial number.

This can be a red flag, especially if you're suspicious of a big stack of cash.

The $10 bill has the same security features as the $5 bill, but with some added color-shifting capabilities. It's tinted with orange, yellow, and red.

A watermark on the right side of the front shows a lighter image of Alexander Hamilton when the bill is held up to the light. This adds an extra layer of security to the bill.

The security thread, running vertically just to the right of the main Hamilton image, includes the words "USA TEN" in capital letters and glows orange under ultraviolet light. This is a unique feature that helps prevent counterfeiting.

Microprinting below Hamilton's portrait includes the words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "TEN DOLLARS USA." This is a subtle but important security feature.

The $10 bill also features ink that shifts colors from copper to green when you tilt the note 45 degrees. This is a distinctive feature that can help you identify the bill's authenticity.

The $20 bill has a lot going on, security-wise. The redesigned bill from 2003 features green and peach background colors.

Andrew Jackson's portrait is on the front, with the White House on the back. The words “TWENTY USA” are printed in blue in the background to the right of Jackson’s portrait, in capital letters.

A magnifying glass can reveal the microprinting “USA20” along the edge of that text. More small print appears in the border below the Treasurer’s signature on the bottom left, reading “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20 USA 20.”

A watermark of Jackson can be seen from both sides in the light. The security thread, running vertically on the left of the front, glows green under ultraviolet light and has a pattern with the words “USA TWENTY”.

The $50 bill has some impressive security features to prevent counterfeiting.

The latest $50 bill, unveiled in 2004, features an image of Ulysses S. Grant on the front.

Inside some of the blue stars on the left front, you'll find "FIFTY", "USA", and "50" appear in capital letters in microprinting.

A security thread that runs vertically to the right of Grant's portrait shows the words "USA 50" in yellow under ultraviolet light.

You can also spot a watermark of Grant's face from both sides of the bill.

The $100 bill has some impressive security features.

The $100 bill is the biggest target of counterfeiters, which is why it was redesigned in 2013 with some added security features.

A blue 3D security ribbon is woven into the paper, with images of bells and the number 100 that look like they’re moving when you tilt the bill.

To the left of the color-shifting 100 on the front, there’s a bell inside of a copper-colored inkwell that looks like it disappears when tilted.

The bill also uses microprinting in several places, including "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in capital letters on Benjamin Franklin's collar.

You can also see "USA 100" near the watermark, and the border has a pattern of 100s.

A security thread with the text "USA" and "100" runs vertically to the left of the portrait and lights up in pink under ultraviolet light.

U.S. currency has some amazing security features that can help you detect counterfeit bills. Each denomination has slightly different features, ranging from a $1 bill design that hasn’t changed in nearly 60 years to a $100 bill with all the bells of modern security measures.

Security features include the kind of paper on which the notes are printed, color-shifting ink, embedded threads, 3D imagery, microprinting, and watermarks. These features are designed to be difficult to replicate.

The $100 bill has a blue 3D security ribbon woven into the paper, with images of bells and the number 100 that look like they’re moving when you tilt the bill. The bell inside of a copper-colored inkwell on the front also disappears when tilted.

Every note $5 and up has a security thread that goes in a straight line from top to bottom, but on a different side of each note. You can see this thread by holding the bill against the light.

The borders of U.S. bills are intricate, making it difficult for counterfeiters to get them right. If the border looks dotty or not totally straight, it could be a sign of a fake bill.

The $10 bill, issued in 2006, has the same security features as the $5 bill plus some added color-shifting capabilities. It's tinted with orange, yellow, and red, and has a security thread that includes the words “USA TEN” in capital letters.

Counterfeit bills often have a glossy or smooth feel due to their high-quality paper composition, unlike the cotton-linen blend used in real dollars.

One thing you might notice about a counterfeit bill is that it feels "off". Real dollars are made of a cotton-linen blend, while fake bills are often made of higher-quality paper.

The Secret Service notes that counterfeit bills can be more slippery to the touch, making them easier to spot.