--- title: How To Identify Counterfeit Money description: we'll go over some of the ways you can identify counterfeit money and protect yourself from falling victim to a counterfeit money crime. image: https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/id-counterfeit.png --- FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government [![bibank-logo](https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/bibank-logo.svg "bibank-logo")](https://bibank.com/) [![svgviewer-png-output (11)](https://blog.bibank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/svgviewer-png-output%20(11).png?width=47&height=31&name=svgviewer-png-output%20(11).png "svgviewer-png-output (11)")](https://bibank.com/) - Personal - Deposit - [Compare Checking](https://bibankcom/personal/compare-checking) - [Independent](https://bibank.com/personal/independent-checking) - [Independent Plus](https://bibank.com/personal/independent-plus-checking) - [Independent Plus Student](https://bibank.com/personal/independent-plus-student-checking) - [Independent Plus Senior](https://bibank.com/personal/independent-plus-senior-checking) - [Independent Interest](https://bibank.com/personal/independent-interest-checking) - [Value](https://bibank.com/personal/value-checking) - [Debit Cards](https://bibank.com/personal/debit-cards) - Save - [Compare Savings](https://bibank.com/personal/compare-savings) - [Savings](https://bibank.com/personal/savings) - [Student Savings](https://bibank.com/personal/student-savings) - [Money Market](https://bibank.com/personal/money-market) - [Certificates](https://bibank.com/personal/certificates) - [IRAS](https://bibank.com/personal/iras) - Borrow - [Home Loans](https://bibank.com/personal/home-loans) - [Personal Loans](https://bibank.com/personal/loans) - [Credit Cards](https://bibank.com/personal/credit-cards) - Sync - [ATM Live](https://bibank.com/personal/atm-live) - [Mobile Banking](https://bibank.com/personal/mobile-banking) - [Mobile Deposit](https://bibank.com/personal/mobile-deposit) - [Online Banking](https://bibank.com/personal/online-banking) - Business - Deposit - [Compare Checking](https://bibank.com/business/compare-checking) - [Premier Analysis](https://bibank.com/business/premier-analysis) - [Business Interest](https://bibank.com/business/interest) - [Small Business](https://bibank.com/business/small-business) - [Micro Business](https://bibank.com/business/micro-business) - [Non-Profit](https://bibank.com/business/non-profit) - Save - [Compare Savings](https://bibank.com/business/compare-savings) - [Savings](https://bibank.com/business/savings) - [Smart Money Market](https://bibank.com/business/smart-money-market) - [Certificates](https://bibank.com/business/certificates) - Borrow - [Real Estate](https://bibank.com/business/real-estate) - [Business Loans](https://bibank.com/business/loans) - [Credit Cards](https://bibank.com/business/credit-cards) - Solutions - [Mobile Banking](https://bibank.com/business/mobile-banking) - [Online Banking](https://bibank.com/business/online-banking) - [Cash Management](https://bibank.com/business/cash-management) - [Treasury Solutions](https://bibank.com/business/treasury-solutions) - [Merchant Services](https://bibank.com/business/merchant-services) - [Meet Our Team](https://bibank.com/business/meet-our-team) - [Invest](https://bibank.com/invest) - Resources - Financial Calculators - Open an Account - Mortgage Application - Loan Application - FAQ - Refer a Friend - Connect - About Us - [Our Story](https://bibank.com/connect/our-story) - [Contact Us](https://bibank.com/contact) - [Locations & Hours](https://bibank.com/connect/locations) - Community - [Helping Hands Foundation](https://bibank.com/connect/helping-hands-foundation) - [Donations & Sponsorships](https://bibank.com/connect/donations-and-sponsorships) - [Donation Requests](https://bibank.kadince.com/external/forms/7276a36a9364fd3f4c8925185201fd12) - [Volunteer Request](https://bibank.kadince.com/external/forms/a6d4856c95b2f87268861e6224303fdc) #### 4140 Parker Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116 #### [(207) 555-0119](tel:2075550119) - ![svgviewer-png-output (10)](https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/svgviewer-png-output%20(10).png) [Open an account](https://bibank.com/resources/open-an-account) [Login](https://bibank.com/) [Open an account](https://bibank.com/resources/open-an-account) [Login](https://bibank.com/) **What can we help you find?** Search Bank Independent Start Site Search - Common Searches - [Compare Personal Checking](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/personal/compare-checking) - [Contact Us](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/contact) - [Home Loans](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/personal/home-loans) - [Helping Hands Foundation](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/connect/helping-hands-foundation) - [Compare Business Checking](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/business/compare-checking) Routing Number 06​220​5791 ![How To Identify Counterfeit Money](https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/id-counterfeit.png) # How To Identify Counterfeit Money - Home - [Bank Independent Blog](https://blog.bibank.com/blog) - How To Identify Counterfeit Money [Ashley Balch](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/author/ashley-balch) 01/12/2023 [Financial Fitness](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/financial-fitness) [0 Comments](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/how-to-identify-counterfeit-money#postComment) 1 Minutes ![id-counterfeit](https://blog.bibank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/id-counterfeit.png?width=1200&height=630&name=id-counterfeit.png) Counterfeiting is the act of making fake money that looks like real money. It's a crime that has been around for centuries, and it continues to be a problem today. While technology has made it easier to identify counterfeit bills, it has also made it easier for counterfeiters to create fake money that looks convincing. In this article, we'll go over some of the ways you can identify counterfeit money and protect yourself from falling victim to this crime. One of the most obvious ways to identify counterfeit money is by looking at the weight and feel of the bill. Counterfeit bills are often made from paper, while real money is made from cotton. This means that a real bill will have a slightly heavier and more substantial feel to it. You can also look for security features such as holograms and security strips. Real money will have these features, but counterfeits often do not or have poorly replicated versions. Another way to check for counterfeit money is to use a counterfeit pen. These pens contain a special ink that reacts with the security features in real money. If the pen marks the bill as fake, it's likely a counterfeit. However, it's important to note that these pens are not 100% accurate, so they should not be relied upon as the sole method of identification. If you suspect that you have received a counterfeit bill, it's important to handle it carefully. Do not return it to the person who gave it to you, as this could be dangerous. Instead, notify a store employee or law enforcement immediately. They will know how to properly handle the situation and determine if the bill is counterfeit. It's important to be aware of the ways that counterfeiters create fake money and the methods you can use to identify it. By following the tips outlined above, you can protect yourself from falling victim to this crime. Always be cautious when handling cash and do not be afraid to ask for assistance if you suspect that a bill may be counterfeit. --- #### Tag: [Financial Fitness](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/financial-fitness) #### Share: - [Follow us on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.bibank.com/blog/how-to-identify-counterfeit-money) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.bibank.com/blog/how-to-identify-counterfeit-money&text=How%20To%20Identify%20Counterfeit%20Money) - [Follow us on Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.bibank.com/blog/how-to-identify-counterfeit-money) - [Follow us on Pinterest](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.bibank.com/blog/how-to-identify-counterfeit-money&text=How%20To%20Identify%20Counterfeit%20Moneydescription=Counterfeiting%20is%20the%20act%20of%20making%20fake%20money%20that%20looks%20like%20real%20money.%20It's%20a%20crime%20that%20has%20been%20around%20for%20centuries,%20and%20it%20continues%20to%20be%20a%20problem[...]&media=https://377014.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/377014/id-counterfeit.png) --- #### [What 'Equal Housing Lender' means and how it affects you Previous Post](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/what-does-equal-housing-lender-mean) #### [Protect Yourself From Card Skimming: What You Need to Know Next Post](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/protect-yourself-from-card-skimming-what-you-need-to-know) ### Leave a Reply This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Category - [Press Releases (151)](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/press-releases) - [Financial Fitness (125)](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/financial-fitness) - [Banking and Technology (101)](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/banking-and-technology) - [Community Insights (59)](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/community-insights) - [Culture (5)](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/culture) ### Popular Posts [Bailey Lovell](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/author/bailey-lovell) 08/09/2017 [Banking and Technology](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/banking-and-technology) [A Former Bank Teller Reveals Answer To Your Number 1 Question](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/a-former-teller-answers-your-most-asked-question) [Ashley Balch](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/author/ashley-balch) 06/11/2026 [Press Releases](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/press-releases) [Bank Independent Promotes New Assistant Vice Presidents, Celebrating a Culture of Hard Work and Strong Leadership](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/bank-independent-promotes-new-assistant-vice-presidents-celebrating-a-culture-of-hard-work-and-strong-leadership) [Ashley Balch](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/author/ashley-balch) 09/13/2022 [Banking and Technology](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/banking-and-technology) [The Complete Guide of How to Use a Contactless Debit Card](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/the-complete-guide-of-how-to-use-a-contactless-debit-card) [Ashley Balch](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/author/ashley-balch) 10/10/2023 [Banking and Technology](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/banking-and-technology) [What is a Contactless Debit Card and Why Do I Need One?](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/what-is-a-contactless-debit-card) --- ## Related Posts [Financial Fitness](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/financial-fitness) [Ashley Balch](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/author/ashley-balch) 28 April, 2026 #### [Set It and Forget It: Automating Your Finances](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/set-it-and-forget-it-automating-your-finances) Life moves fast. Between work, family, and everything else on your plate, keeping up with your... [Read More](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/set-it-and-forget-it-automating-your-finances) [Financial Fitness](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/financial-fitness) [Stephanie Hipps](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/author/stephanie-hipps) 16 April, 2026 #### [How ACH Positive Pay Helps Business Owners Protect Their Accounts](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/how-ach-positive-pay-helps-business-owners-protect-their-accounts) Running a business means keeping a close eye on your money. While you are focused on serving... [Read More](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/how-ach-positive-pay-helps-business-owners-protect-their-accounts) [Financial Fitness](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/topic/financial-fitness) [Ashley Balch](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/author/ashley-balch) 09 April, 2026 #### [Five Small Steps That Can Make a Big Difference](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/five-small-steps-that-can-make-a-big-difference) Financial confidence is not built overnight. It grows through simple habits, intentional choices,... [Read More](https://blog.bibank.com/blog/five-small-steps-that-can-make-a-big-difference) - Give Us A Call - [(256) 386-5000 8am-8pm](tel:12563865000) - [(877) 865-5050 Mon-Sat](tel:18778655050) - [(866) 478-5010 Automated](tel:18664785010) - Common Questions - Routing #062205791 - [Careers](https://bibank.com/careers) - [FAQs](https://bibank.com/resources/faq) - Other Info - [Terms & Conditions](https://bibank.com/terms) - [Privacy Policy](https://bibank.com/privacy) - [Identity Protection](https://bibank.com/identity-protection) - [Website Feedback](https://bibank.com/accessibility-feedback) - Fraud Center - [(800) 237-8990 Debit](tel:18002378990) - [(855) 401-4743 Credit](tel:18554014743) - Send Us a Message - [customerservice@bibank.com Email](mailto:customerservice@bibank.com) - [View our secure form Online](https://bibank.com/contact) [![bibank-brandmark](https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/bibank-brandmark.svg "bibank-brandmark")](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/) Bank Independent is a full-service community bank in North Alabama with branches throughout Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties. © 2025 Bank Independent. | [Sitemap](https://bibank-2025.cms.banno-staging.com/sitemap) | [Equal Housing Lender](https://www.hud.gov) [![svgviewer-png-output (6)](https://blog.bibank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/svgviewer-png-output%20(6).png?width=42&name=svgviewer-png-output%20(6).png "svgviewer-png-output (6)")](https://www.facebook.com/BankIndependent/) [![svgviewer-png-output (7)](https://blog.bibank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/svgviewer-png-output%20(7).png?width=42&name=svgviewer-png-output%20(7).png "svgviewer-png-output (7)")](https://www.instagram.com/bank_independent/) [![svgviewer-png-output (8)](https://blog.bibank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/svgviewer-png-output%20(8).png?width=42&name=svgviewer-png-output%20(8).png "svgviewer-png-output (8)")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bank-independent/) [![svgviewer-png-output (9)](https://blog.bibank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/svgviewer-png-output%20(9).png?width=42&name=svgviewer-png-output%20(9).png "svgviewer-png-output (9)")](https://x.com/bibankal) [![biblog-logo](https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/biblog-logo.svg "biblog-logo")](https://blog.bibank.com/blog?__hstc=235776990.507236a8091338d1326ffb5d4cc37315.1760504391102.1760504391102.1760508234988.2&__hssc=235776990.2.1760508234988&__hsfp=2385172338&_ga=2.27596156.175062658.1760504389-156531646.1760504389) ![monitor-badge-dark](https://blog.bibank.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BankIndependent_October2025/Images/monitor-badge-dark.png?width=88&name=monitor-badge-dark.png "monitor-badge-dark") ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Ashley Balch", "url" : "https://blog.bibank.com/blog/author/ashley-balch" }, "dateModified" : "2023-01-12T17:45:00.309Z", "datePublished" : "2023-01-12T17:45:00.000Z", "headline" : "How To Identify Counterfeit Money", "image" : [ "https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/id-counterfeit.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.bibank.com/blog/how-to-identify-counterfeit-money", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.bibank.com/hubfs/BI-Logo-380_Green.png" }, "name" : "Bank Independent" } } ```