JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Increasing awareness of counterfeit money can be the difference between a good time or jail time. Knowing the signs to look for can prevent possession or handling of illegal currency.
“There are multiple ways to identify counterfeit money such as the texture, watermarks, holographs, color-shifting ink, et cetera,” said Special Agent Marquis Navarro, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 631 superintendent. “It’s important to always double-check and refer to the Secret Service website if the money looks like it could be counterfeit.”
Counterfeit money will have a different texture from real money. Authentic bills are made with cotton and linen fibers, and should be durable and crisp despite the age of the bill. Fake money is most often made with normal paper, which becomes torn and soft when worn.
Watermarks in dollar bills can be identified by using natural light to see if the bill has an image of the person whose portrait is on the bill.
Holographs can also be located by holding the bill up to the light; the holograph of the face should match the denomination.
Another technique used is identifying color-shifting ink. The ink will change color when the bill is tilted.
Comparing the bill with another one of the same denomination will also pinpoint whether or not the bill is a fake.
“Always be watchful when getting cash back from a gas station, store and ATM,” Navarro said. “If a bill is questionable, ask the employee to mark the bill. If the store is unable to validate the bill, take it to your local bank where they can identify if it is real or not.”
Personnel are also advised to contact the local police, OSI or security forces.
“When dealing with hand-to-hand exchanges such as ads on Craigslist, be careful of people co-mingling bills,” said Dan Burruss, 673d Security Forces Squadron supervisory detective. “People will mix counterfeit money in with real money. To prevent this, it’s important to look at each bill carefully.”
Active-duty members who possess, forge or use counterfeit money risk Uniform Code of Military Justice offenses. Civilians or dependents will be handled through the local police.
If prosecutors can prove there was intent to defraud, federal law can punish you with a fine and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
“Awareness of counterfeit money is important because if it comes into your possession, you will not be reimbursed,” said Navarro. “This is to prevent individuals from exchanging counterfeit money for real money.”
For more information, visit https://www.secretservice.gov/data/KnowYourMoney.pdf. The online guide provides written and illustrated examples of what to look for in legitimate bills.