It seems every year around the holidays that counterfeit currency is most prevalent. You can help combat loss to your business by training your employees to check for fake bills. Here are some tips to help spot a fake:

Raised printing: Move your finger across the note. It should feel slightly rough to the touch as a result of the printing process and the unique composition of the paper.
Security thread: Hold the note to light to see a security thread embedded on denominations $5 and higher. The thread is in a different position for each denomination and glows a different color when held to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Watermark: Hold the note to light to see a faint image to the right of the portrait on denominations $5 and higher. The $5 note has two watermarks, both of the numeral 5.
Color-shifting ink: Tilt the note to see the ink in the numbers on the lower right corner and the Bell in the Inkwell change color from copper to green. Color-shifting ink is found on denominations $10 and higher.
3-D Security Ribbon: The 3-D Security Ribbon on the $100 note is woven into the paper. It has images of bells and 100s that move from side to side and up and down when you tilt the note.
Microprinting: Microprinting is featured in several locations on denominations $5 and higher. These small printed words correspond to the denomination or are phrases such as “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “USA,” or “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
Red and blue fibers: There are small red and blue security fibers embedded throughout genuine U.S. currency paper.

If you suspect a bill is counterfeit call the police and consider the below safety tips.

For your personal safety. . . PLEASE:

1. Do not put yourself in danger.
2. Do not return the bill to the passer.
3. Delay the passer with some excuse, if possible.
4. Observe the passer's description - and their companions' descriptions - and write down their vehicle license plate numbers if you can.
5. Contact 911.
6. DO NOT handle the counterfeit note. Place it inside a protective cover, a plastic bag, or envelope to protect it until you place it in the hands of an IDENTIFIED police officer.
7. Surrender the note or coin ONLY to a properly identified police officer.

For more information, see the attached PDF and visit the links below:

https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/currency_12597.htm

https://www.allbusiness.com/4-strategies-to-protect-your-business-against-counterfeit-money-102016-1.html

https://www.varinsights.com/doc/top-tips-for-counterfeit-money-prevention-0001