Countering counterfeiters, the challenge of the American government.
Counterfeiting American currency is an endless security issue for the American government and the American secret service.
www.uscurrency.gov
Learn many interesting details about American currency. There are many design and printing features in the currency, things such as:
- ink that displays different colours when tilted
- images which only appear under UV light
- watermark images which only display when the bill is held up to the light
- fine lines engraved into the bills in different patterns
- colored thread woven into the fibre of the paper
- 3-D security ribbons which display ‘moving images’ which move up and down or side to side, depending on the direction of the tilt
It’s easy to overlook that you could be using play money while in the heat of financial transactions but no need to panic. Check the currency at the very least put it up to the light to see the ‘watermark displays.’
The American government has gone to great lengths to defend against counterfeiters but the more they do, the more the counterfeiters work at ways to beat the safeguards. Read the above information to learn as much as you can to protect yourself from being taken. For lower denominations, don’t panic; for large denominations, be very, very aware. A quick scan at a back light is the bare minimum you should do.
A funny thing…
A funny story in writing this post…read ‘Funny money.’
