Counterfeit money has been a persistent issue in the global economy, affecting businesses and consumers alike. It’s paramount to possess knowledge about the distinctive signs of genuine banknotes to avoid risks related to counterfeit bills. In this article, we will uncover five foolproof tips to help you discern a real note from a fake one.
Basic methods for detecting counterfeit banknotes
The ‘touch and tilt’ method
The European Central Bank (ECB) recommends a simple yet effective method for identifying counterfeit banknotes: touch, look, and tilt. When touching the note, observe for the texture of the paper and the raised print. While looking at it, detect for any unusual elements such as blurred edges or poor quality printing. Lastly, tilting the note will reveal security features like holograms or color-shifting ink.
Newly introduced banknotes
In recent years, particularly in 2019, eCB gradually replaced circulating notes with more secure ones named “Europe. ” These included new releases of €100 and €200 notes which contributed to limiting circulation of fake bills. An average of 16 counterfeits were detected per million authentic notes following this introduction.
Having laid out basic methods to identify counterfeit money, let’s delve further into understanding visual cues that scream authenticity.
Unmistakable visual signs of an authentic bill
The watermark feature
Most authentic banknotes exhibit distinct watermark features. When held up against light, you should be able to see an image similar to the main design on the bill appearing lighter or darker depending upon the background.
Hologram strips and patches
Hologram strips or patches on banknotes is another reliable visual cue. When you tilt the note, you should see the holographic images change or move.
Visual cues provide a great start, but there’s more to detecting counterfeit notes than meets the eye. Let’s explore some tactile techniques next.
Touch and smell: tactile tips for distinguishing real from fake
The feel of the banknote
Real money often feels firm and crisp, not soft or worn-out. Counterfeiters have a hard time duplicating the exact texture of authentic bills which makes touching one of the simplest ways to identify fakes.
The smell of the banknote
Believe it or not, genuine money has a distinctive smell as a result of the printing process and ink used. If a bill smells odd, it could possibly be fake.
After understanding how sense of touch and smell can help in identifying genuineness, let’s now move onto how a simple tilt can reveal authenticity.
Tilting the bill: a simple move to detect authenticity
The shifting color number technique
Newly introduced €5 banknotes since September 23, 2015 exhibit new security features including a “shifting color number”. When tilted under light, this number changes color from emerald green to deep blue.
Hologram check
Apart from shifting colors, tilting also helps observe holograms that usually appear on higher denomination bills. These holograms shift their appearance when viewed from different angles.
We’ve covered manual methods so far but technology too can be leveraged in our fight against counterfeit currency. Let’s see how next.
Technology tools against currency counterfeiting
Use of ultraviolet (UV) light
Under UV light, certain parts of genuine notes glow while fake ones do not. It’s a quick and reliable method often used in businesses dealing with large amounts of cash.
Magnetic ink detection
Many banknotes are printed using magnetic ink. Special devices can detect this feature which counterfeit bills typically lack.
Finally, it is important to know what steps to take should you find yourself uncertain about the authenticity of a bill.
What to do if you doubt a bill: procedures and precautions
Contacting authorities
In case you suspect a bill to be counterfeit, it’s recommended to contact local authorities or your bank immediately. Handling counterfeit money is illegal so it’s best to pass on any suspicious notes to experts who can handle them properly.
Prevention measures
Awareness and knowledge about currency security features remain the most effective prevention measure against counterfeit money.
We have traversed through various aspects of identifying counterfeit bills, starting from basics methods, visual cues, tactile techniques and technological tools ending with what actions to take in case of doubts. Keeping these pointers in mind will equip you well against the financial risks posed by counterfeit money. Stay alert, stay informed !
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