Detecting counterfeit money is crucial to avoid financial loss and legal trouble. Here are some key ways to identify fake bills:

1. Feel the Texture
Real bills are printed on a special blend of cotton and linen, giving them a distinct, slightly rough texture.
Counterfeit notes may feel smoother or have an unusual texture.
2. Check the Security Features (U.S. Dollars)
Watermark – Hold the bill up to the light; a watermark of the portrait should appear on the right side.
Color-Shifting Ink – The numeral in the lower-right corner changes color when tilted.
Security Thread – A thin embedded strip runs vertically with microprinting.
Raised Printing – Genuine bills have raised ink, which you can feel by running your fingers over the surface.

3. Use UV Light
Under ultraviolet (UV) light, U.S. banknotes glow in different colors depending on the denomination:

$5 – Blue
$10 – Orange
$20 – Green
$50 – Yellow
$100 – Pink
4. Look for Microprinting
Tiny words or symbols are printed in different areas of the bill, often too small to be copied by normal printers.
5. Compare with a Known Genuine Bill
Place the suspected bill next to a real one and compare details such as font, colors, and design elements.
Legal Consequences
Possessing or passing counterfeit money, even unknowingly, is illegal and can result in fines or imprisonment. If you suspect a fake bill:

Do not accept or pass it on.
Report it to the police or the U.S. Secret Service.