How to Spot Fake Twenty Dollar Bills and Stay Safe

Spotting fake twenty dollar bills can be a challenge, but with the right knowledge, you'll be a pro in no time.

The first thing to look for is the security thread that runs diagonally through the bill. This thread glows pink when held under ultraviolet (UV) light.

Don't be fooled by fake security threads that can be easily replicated. Real security threads are woven into the paper itself and can't be easily removed.

A quick glance at the bill's texture can also give away its authenticity. The paper should feel slightly raised in the 100 area and have a unique texture that's difficult to replicate.

The 100 area is also home to a unique bell in the ink that's hard to fake. This bell is a distinctive design element that's woven into the ink itself.

If you're still unsure, try holding the bill up to a light source. The color and texture of the bill will change, making it easier to spot a fake.

Fake 20-dollar bills can be difficult to spot, but knowing what to look for can help you avoid accepting counterfeit dollars.

Inspecting the security thread, watermark, and numeral 20 on the front side are key ways to distinguish between fake and real 20-dollar bills.

Besides visual inspections, feeling the texture of the note, including the colors on it, can also help you identify counterfeit currency.

It's essential to take immediate action if you suspect a counterfeit 20-dollar bill.

Compare the suspected counterfeit to a known genuine USD 20 bill to look for differences in texture, feel, and security features.

The seven denominations in circulation are $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

All bills have a few of the same security features, but the $1 and $2 bills have not changed since they were issued in 1963 and 1976.

Most counterfeiters try to add similar-looking security features on fake money to make it difficult to identify.

Check out the security features on legal U.S. currency, and you can look for some of these features when you collect payments.

Some tools can help you detect counterfeit money, such as pens, UV lights, and scanners, but don't solely depend on them.

Inspect the printing quality. Fake bills tend to have a relative flatness and lack of detail. The outside border of real money should be "clear and unbroken", according to Secret Service officials. The printing on a real bill is high-quality and detailed.

The portrait on the bill is another area to examine. Look for specific discrepancies that will tell you if the bill is fake. The serial numbers on the bill should also match. There should be two serial numbers located on the face of the bill on either side of the portrait.

To inspect the bill, follow these steps:

Inspecting the bill by sight can be a crucial step in determining its authenticity. Look for a relative flatness and lack of detail in the printing quality, as fake bills often have these characteristics.

The outside border of real money should be clear and unbroken, according to Secret Service officials. This is a key feature to check when examining a bill.

Observe the portrait on the bill, as there are specific discrepancies that can indicate a fake. For example, counterfeiters may not be able to perfectly replicate the picture of the person on the bill.

Examine the serial numbers on the face of the bill, which should match on either side of the portrait. There should be two serial numbers in total.

Here's a quick checklist to help you inspect the bill by sight:

Inspecting a bill by touch can be a surprisingly effective way to identify counterfeit money. One of the main differences between genuine and counterfeit bills is the texture of the paper.

Counterfeit money often feels distinctly different from authentic money. I've held both in my hand and can attest to the difference. The paper on genuine bills has a unique texture that's hard to replicate.

Another key difference is the thinness of the bill. Genuine money is often thinner than counterfeit money, making it easier to distinguish between the two. This is especially true for larger denominations.

To get a better sense of the bill's thickness, compare it with another of the same denomination and series. Different denominations will look different, so get a note of the same amount to compare.

The material used to make U.S. bills is not your average paper. It's a blend of 25% linen and 75% cotton, which gives it a unique texture.

You can check the material by looking for red and blue security fibers woven into the bill. These fibers are interwoven with the cotton and linen, and they shouldn't be visible on the surface.

To verify this, run your fingers over the bill to feel the texture. Genuine bills have a slightly rough feel due to the raised print and security fibers.

If you're still unsure, compare the bill with another of the same denomination and series. Different denominations will look different, so get a note of the same amount.

Here's a quick reference guide to help you identify the material:

Inspect the serial numbers on the bill carefully. They appear twice on the bill's front, once on the left of the portrait and again on the right.

Make sure both sets of serial numbers match each other exactly. If one set is torn or missing, don't accept the bill as payment.

To spot fake twenty dollar bills, you need to know what to look for. One of the key security features is a vertical thread embedded in the paper, visible from both sides when held up to the light, with the text "USA TWENTY" and a small flag in a repeating pattern.

The security thread in a real bill glows green when illuminated by ultraviolet light, but it's printed and not embedded in a fake bill. This is a clear indication that the bill is counterfeit.

To verify the security features, hold the bill up to the light and check for a security thread running from top to bottom. For all bills except $1 and $2, this thread should be present.

Use an ultraviolet (black) light to examine the security thread, and it should glow a specific color. The color-shifting ink on the bill is another security feature to look for. When you tilt the bill, the numeral 20 in the lower right corner should change color from green to copper.

You can also check for watermarks by holding the bill up to natural light. A real bill should bear an image of the person whose portrait is on the bill. Tilt the bill to examine the color-shifting ink and micro-printing. The micro-printing includes small words or numbers that are hardly visible to the naked eye and cannot be read without a magnifying glass.

Here are some specific things to look for on a twenty dollar bill:

By checking these security features, you can confidently identify a real twenty dollar bill and avoid falling victim to counterfeiters.