Verifying Banknotes - How to Identify Counterfeit Money
29.01.2025
Counterfeit money is a serious problem that affects both private individuals and companies and weakens confidence in the payment system. But how can you ensure that only legitimate money is accepted? And thus protect yourself from financial losses? From recognising important security features to effective detection methods and prevention through training - find out how you can effectively arm yourself against counterfeit money.
Counterfeit money is a serious problem that affects both private individuals and companies and weakens confidence in the payment system. But how can you ensure that only legitimate money is accepted? And thus protect yourself from financial losses? From recognising important security features to effective detection methods and prevention through training - find out how you can effectively arm yourself against counterfeit money.
↓ Increase in Counterfeit Money: A Challenge for Consumers and Companies
↓ Security Features of Real Money
↓ Reliable Methods for Counterfeit Detection
↓ How to React Appropriately if you Suspect Counterfeit Money
↓ Retail Fraud Prevention Strategies: Training and Security Measures
↓ Conclusion: Measures Against Counterfeit Money for Security and Trust
↓ Frequently Asked Questions at a Glance
↓ Similar Topics
↓ Security Features of Real Money
↓ Reliable Methods for Counterfeit Detection
↓ How to React Appropriately if you Suspect Counterfeit Money
↓ Retail Fraud Prevention Strategies: Training and Security Measures
↓ Conclusion: Measures Against Counterfeit Money for Security and Trust
↓ Frequently Asked Questions at a Glance
↓ Similar Topics
Avoid Counterfeit Money
Be Aware of Security Features
Prevention
Increase in Counterfeit Money: A Challenge for Consumers and Companies
The spread of counterfeit money is a serious problem that affects both consumers and companies. The German Central Bank regularly publishes statistics on the number of counterfeits registered in German payment transactions.
2023
In the Year of
56
T.
Number of Banknotes
28
%
Percentage Increase
5
Mi
In the Value of
It is important to recognise counterfeit money in order to protect yourself from fraud. The European Central Bank has integrated security features into euro banknotes that make it easier to distinguish genuine money from counterfeits. These are explained below and how you can protect yourself against counterfeit money.
Security Features of Real Money
Security features are essential to ensure the authenticity of banknotes and to prevent counterfeiting. This section presents the various security features in detail. You have the choice between two approaches:
One is the general principle of "Feel, Look, Tilt" for quickly and effectively checking banknotes, or a detailed examination of individual banknotes to identify their specific features.
One is the general principle of "Feel, Look, Tilt" for quickly and effectively checking banknotes, or a detailed examination of individual banknotes to identify their specific features.
The General Principle of "Feel, Look, Tilt"
Paper Quality
Authentic euro banknotes are made of cotton fibres and therefore have a firm, resistant and slightly rough feel. Counterfeit money often appears smoother or more paper-like and less robust.Embossing and Tactile Features
Embossing and tactile features are physical features that are present on banknotes. These include, for example, perceptible relief or special structures that can be felt with the fingers. These features serve as an additional security level and for visually impaired people.
Watermark
A frequently used security feature is the watermark. This is an image or pattern incorporated into the paper that is only visible on close inspection. This feature is difficult to copy and serves as a kind of fingerprint for banknotes.
Safety Threads
Security threads are also a common feature of authentic money. These are special threads that are embedded in the paper and become visible on closer inspection. These threads can fluoresce or shimmer metallically and serve as an additional security measure.
Holograms
Holograms are another important security feature of authentic money. They are three-dimensional images that show different pictures depending on the viewing angle. These holograms are difficult to reproduce and are used to uniquely identify banknotes.
Tilt Images and Colour Images
Tilt images and colour images are further security features that can be found on banknotes. These images change depending on the viewing angle or incidence of light and serve as an additional level of security against counterfeiting.Features of the Various Banknotes
Feel
Touch the banknote. The paper looks robust and easy to handle. A series of short raised lines can be felt on the left and right edges of the front. A relief can be felt on the main motif as well as on the lettering and the large number.Look
Look at the banknote in the light. An image of Europe, the value indication and the main motif become recognisable. The security strip also appears as a dark line. The € symbol and the value of the banknote can be recognised in very small white letters.
Look
Look at the banknote in the light. An image of Europe, the value indication and the main motif become recognisable. The security strip also appears as a dark line. The € symbol and the value of the banknote can be recognised in very small white letters.
Tilt
Tilt the banknote. The hologram - the foil band on the right-hand side of the note - shows an image of Europe. The main image and the value of the note are also visible in the band.At the bottom left you can see the shiny number, on which a beam of light moves up and down. The number also changes colour from emerald green to dark blue.
Additional Features
There are small letters at certain points on the banknote. This microprint can be read with a magnifying glass and can be found in the marked area. The characters are clear, not blurred.The authenticity of the money can also be checked using UV light or infrared light. The note lights up at various points and further security features appear.
Additional Features
There are small letters at certain points on the banknote. This microprint can be read with a magnifying glass and can be found in the marked area. The characters are clear, not blurred.The authenticity of the money can also be checked using UV light or infrared light. The note lights up at various points and further security features appear.
Feel
The unique surface texture of the euro banknotes results from the use of special printing techniques. This results in a tactile relief.A group of short, protruding lines can be felt on the left and right edges of the front. A tactile embossing is also present on the main image, text and large number.
Look
Look at the banknotes in the light. The watermark with the portrait and the security strip become recognisable.The watermark becomes visible along with the image of Europa, the number and the main motif.
The security thread appears as a dark stripe. The € symbol and the value of the banknote can be recognised on it in very small, white letters.
Look
Look at the banknotes in the light. The watermark with the portrait and the security strip become recognisable.The watermark becomes visible along with the image of Europa, the number and the main motif.
The security thread appears as a dark stripe. The € symbol and the value of the banknote can be recognised on it in very small, white letters.
Tilt
Tilt the banknote. The image of Europe becomes visible on the foil strip as well as the main motif and the value of the banknote.A streak of light moves up and down on the emerald number when you tilt the note.
Additional Features
Special tools are required to check the additional security features of the euro banknotes, such as the microprint with a magnifying glass. You will find the microprint in the marked area.UV light or infrared light can also be used to check the authenticity of the note.
Additional Features
Special tools are required to check the additional security features of the euro banknotes, such as the microprint with a magnifying glass. You will find the microprint in the marked area.UV light or infrared light can also be used to check the authenticity of the note.
Feel
The unique surface texture of the euro banknotes results from the use of special printing techniques. This results in a tactile relief.A series of short, raised lines can be felt on the outer edges of the front. The main image, the text and the large number also have a tactile relief.
Look
Look at the banknote in the light. The window with the portrait, the watermark and the security strip come into view.The image of Europe, the denomination and the main motif are visible in the watermark.
The security thread appears as a dark line. The € symbol and the value of the banknote can be recognised on it in small white letters.
Look
Look at the banknote in the light. The window with the portrait, the watermark and the security strip come into view.The image of Europe, the denomination and the main motif are visible in the watermark.
The security thread appears as a dark line. The € symbol and the value of the banknote can be recognised on it in small white letters.
Tilt
If you tilt the banknote, you can see the value number of the banknote framed by rainbow-coloured lines in the portrait window. On the reverse of the banknote, the small rainbow-coloured value number is visible several times in the window.The hologram stripe shows an image of Europe. The main image and the value indication of the banknote are also visible within the stripe.
At the bottom left you can see a shiny number over which a strip of light moves up and down. The number changes colour from emerald green to deep blue.
Additional Features
Special tools are required to check the additional security features of the euro banknotes.The microprint can be deciphered with a magnifying glass. This is not blurred, but clearly legible and can be found in the marked area.
Additional Features
Special tools are required to check the additional security features of the euro banknotes.The microprint can be deciphered with a magnifying glass. This is not blurred, but clearly legible and can be found in the marked area.
The fluorescent features of the banknote can be recognised with UV light.
Feel
The euro banknotes have a special surface structure created by special printing techniques. This creates a tactile relief.Short, tactile lines can be felt on the outer edges of the front. The main motif, the text and the large number also have a tactile relief.
Look
Hold the banknotes up to the light. The window with the portrait, the watermark and the security strip will become visible.There is a window in the hologram that becomes transparent. A picture of Europe appears in it, which can be seen from both sides of the banknote.
The watermark shows the image of Europe, the denomination and the main motif.
The security thread appears as a dark line on which the € symbol and the value of the banknote can be seen in small white letters.
Look
Hold the banknotes up to the light. The window with the portrait, the watermark and the security strip will become visible.There is a window in the hologram that becomes transparent. A picture of Europe appears in it, which can be seen from both sides of the banknote.
The watermark shows the image of Europe, the denomination and the main motif.
The security thread appears as a dark line on which the € symbol and the value of the banknote can be seen in small white letters.
Tilt
If you tilt the banknote, you can see the value number of the banknote framed by rainbow-coloured lines in the portrait window. On the reverse of the banknote, the small rainbow-coloured value number is visible several times in the window.The hologram stripe shows an image of Europe. The main image and the value indication of the banknote are also visible within the stripe.
At the bottom left you can see a shiny number over which a strip of light moves back and forth. The number changes colour from emerald green to deep blue.
Additional Features
Special tools are required to check the additional security features of the euro banknotes.The microprint on the 50 euro note can be seen with a magnifying glass. You will find this microprint in the marked area.
The authenticity of the banknote can also be checked using UV light and infrared light.
Additional Features
Special tools are required to check the additional security features of the euro banknotes.The microprint on the 50 euro note can be seen with a magnifying glass. You will find this microprint in the marked area.
The authenticity of the banknote can also be checked using UV light and infrared light.
Feel
The euro banknotes have a special surface structure created by special printing techniques. This allows you to feel a tactile relief.Short, tactile lines can be recognised on the outer edges of the front. The main motif, the text and the large number also have a tactile relief.
Look
Hold the banknotes up to the light to make the window with the portrait, the watermark and the security strip visible.There is a transparent window in the hologram in which an image of Europe appears. This image is recognisable from both sides of the banknote.
The watermark shows the image of Europe, the denomination and the main motif.
The security thread appears as a dark line. The € symbol and the value of the banknote can be seen on it in small white letters.
Sehen
Hold the banknotes up to the light to make the window with the portrait, the watermark and the security strip visible.There is a transparent window in the hologram in which an image of Europe appears. This image is recognisable from both sides of the banknote.
The watermark shows the image of Europe, the denomination and the main motif.
The security thread appears as a dark line. The € symbol and the value of the banknote can be seen on it in small white letters.
Tilt
If you tilt the banknote, the value number becomes visible in the portrait window, surrounded by rainbow-coloured lines. On the reverse, the small rainbow-coloured value number appears several times in the window.At the top of the foil strip is the satellite hologram, in which € symbols circle around the denomination.
The hologram strip also shows an image of Europe as well as the main motif and the denomination of the banknote.
At the bottom left you can see a shiny number with a strip of light travelling across it. The number changes colour from emerald green to deep blue.
Additional Features
Tools are required to determine the other features. A magnifying glass is required to read the microprint. These can be found in the marked areas.Infrared light and UV light can also be used to reveal the fluorescent features.
Additional Features
Tools are required to determine the other features. A magnifying glass is required to read the microprint. These can be found in the marked areas.Infrared light and UV light can also be used to reveal the fluorescent features.
Feel
The euro banknotes have a special surface texture that is achieved using special printing techniques. This allows a perceptible relief to be felt.Short, tactile lines can be felt on the outer edges of the front. The main motif, the text and the large number also have a perceptible elevation.
Look
Hold the banknote up to the light to make the window with the portrait, the watermark and the security strip visible.There is a transparent window in the hologram in which an image of Europe appears, which is visible from both sides of the banknote.
The watermark shows the image of Europe, the denomination and the main motif.
The security thread appears as a dark line on which the € symbol and the value of the banknote can be recognised in small white letters.
Look
Hold the banknote up to the light to make the window with the portrait, the watermark and the security strip visible.There is a transparent window in the hologram in which an image of Europe appears, which is visible from both sides of the banknote.
The watermark shows the image of Europe, the denomination and the main motif.
The security thread appears as a dark line on which the € symbol and the value of the banknote can be recognised in small white letters.
Tilt
If you tilt the banknote, the value number becomes visible in the portrait window, framed by rainbow-coloured lines. On the reverse, the small rainbow-coloured value number appears several times in the window.At the top edge of the foil strip is the satellite hologram, in which € symbols circle around the value number.
The hologram strip also shows an image of Europe as well as the main motif and the denomination of the banknote.
At the bottom left you can see a shiny number over which a strip of light glides. The number changes colour from emerald green to deep blue.
Additional Features
In some places you will find a small font. This microprint can be read with a magnifying glass and can be found on the marked areas.You can also use UV light and infrared light to reveal other security features.
Additional Features
In some places you will find a small font. This microprint can be read with a magnifying glass and can be found on the marked areas.You can also use UV light and infrared light to reveal other security features.
Feel
The euro banknotes have a special surface structure that is created using a special printing process. This allows a tactile relief to be felt.Short, raised lines can be felt on the outer edges of the front. The main motif, the text and the large number also have a noticeable raised surface.
Look
Hold the banknote up to the light. The value number and the main motif become visible in the watermark.The security thread appears as a dark stripe. The word ‘EURO’ and the value of the banknote appear on it in very small, white letters.
The incomplete number in the top left-hand corner of the front and incomplete number in the top right-hand corner of the reverse combine to create the complete number.
Look
Hold the banknote up to the light. The value number and the main motif become visible in the watermark.The security thread appears as a dark stripe. The word ‘EURO’ and the value of the banknote appear on it in very small, white letters.
The incomplete number in the top left-hand corner of the front and incomplete number in the top right-hand corner of the reverse combine to create the complete number.
Tilt
Tilt the banknote. The number of the banknote and a window or gate become visible in the hologram.The value number on the reverse changes colour from purple red to olive green or brown.
Additional Features
Tools are needed to check the additional security features on the euro banknotes.A magnifying glass makes the microprint visible. You will find this in the marked area.
UV light and infrared light make the fluorescent features visible.
Additional Features
Tools are needed to check the additional security features on the euro banknotes.A magnifying glass makes the microprint visible. You will find this in the marked area.
UV light and infrared light make the fluorescent features visible.
Overall, the security features of authentic money are diverse and serve to ensure the authenticity of banknotes and prevent counterfeiting. It is important to familiarise yourself with these features in order to be able to distinguish genuine money from counterfeits.
Reliable Methods for Counterfeit Detection
There are various methods of counterfeit detection based on certain security features. Here are three methods that can help you identify counterfeit banknotes:
UV-Banknote Verifier
UV Banknote Verifiers are an effective tool for identifying UV security features on banknotes. All euro banknotes contain invisible UV features that are only visible under ultraviolet light.
A UV bill validator enables you to check these features and thus confirm the authenticity of the banknote. UV bill validators can also be used to check identity documents such as driving licenses or passports.
A UV bill validator enables you to check these features and thus confirm the authenticity of the banknote. UV bill validators can also be used to check identity documents such as driving licenses or passports.
Banknote Counter with Integrated Bill Validator
Banknote counters with integrated bill validators are a practical solution for counterfeit detection.These devices can count banknotes automatically and check for suspicious features at the same time. It also has a bundling function that divides the banknotes into handy portions.
Electronic Banknote Validator
Another useful tool for counterfeit detection are electronic banknote validators, which quickly check the security features electronically. These devices are particularly useful in the retail sector as they allow bills to be checked quickly at the till.They can check banknotes for up to seven important security features for several currencies and thus ensure that only genuine banknotes are accepted. If the bill validator detects a counterfeit, it triggers an alarm. This reliably detects counterfeit banknotes.
Overall, these counterfeit detection methods are effective tools for protecting yourself against counterfeit banknotes. By using these methods in your company or at home, you ensure that you only accept genuine money and protect yourself against losses caused by counterfeit money.
How to React Appropriately if you Suspect Counterfeit Money
Counterfeit money is a serious problem that can affect not only retailers but also private individuals. If you suspect that you have been conned with counterfeit money, it is important to act correctly. This way you protect yourself and help to clear up the situation.
If you suspect counterfeit money, you should first contact the police. They will investigate the incident and take further action if necessary.
It is important that you never pass the counterfeit money on to other people. By doing so, you could unknowingly put other people in danger or even make yourself liable to prosecution. Keep the counterfeit money safe with you and keep it in an envelope so that you can hand it over to the police as evidence.
It is important that you do not take any action that could cause danger. Do not try to catch the perpetrator yourself or put yourself in danger. Your safety always comes first.
Overall, it is important to remain calm and act cautiously if you suspect counterfeit money. By acting correctly, you can help to curb counterfeit money crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Retail Fraud Prevention Strategies: Training and Security Measures
In many companies, the prevention of fraud and theft is an important issue. In the retail sector, where a lot of cash flows every day, employees should be trained and security measures implemented.
One important measure is to train employees in the security features of banknotes. Through regular training, employees can learn to recognize counterfeit money and thus prevent attempts at fraud. Because there is no substitute for counterfeit money! Therefore, you should not hand out goods before payment with valid money.
Companies should also use bill validators to check the authenticity of banknotes. These devices are easy to use and can help to detect counterfeits.
Another important point is to set a specific amount above which cash payments are no longer accepted. This measure allows companies to reduce the risk of theft as there is less cash in circulation. In addition, larger amounts can be processed more securely using electronic payment methods.
Overall, companies should regularly train their employees and introduce security measures to prevent fraud and theft. By taking the right measures, companies can not only avoid financial losses, but also increase customer confidence in the security of their payments.
Conclusion: Measures Against Counterfeit Money for Security and Trust
Counterfeit money is a serious problem for companies and private individuals, as it weakens confidence in the means of payment and causes financial damage. The increase in counterfeit banknotes in 2023 shows that increased caution is necessary.
Knowledge of security features such as watermarks, holograms and UV features is crucial for recognizing counterfeit money. Counterfeit detection methods, such as UV bill validators and banknote counters, are effective tools.
If you suspect counterfeit money, you should inform the police immediately and always ensure your own safety.
If you suspect counterfeit money, you should inform the police immediately and always ensure your own safety.
Prevention through employee training and the implementation of security measures are essential to prevent fraud and theft. Companies can not only reduce financial losses through targeted measures, but also create trust among customers.
Frequently Asked Questions at a Glance
Counterfeit money can be quickly recognized by checking the paper quality, watermarks and security threads. Hold the bill up to the light to make the watermark and security thread visible. A hologram and finely printed details are also difficult to imitate and help with recognition.
A counterfeit euro note can often be recognised by its inferior paper, which feels different to that of real money. Missing or blurred security features such as holograms, watermarks and security threads are indications of a counterfeit. In addition, colour change effects and detailed printing are often inadequately executed on counterfeits.
20 and 50 euro notes are the most commonly counterfeited, as they are widely used and often in circulation. These notes offer a balance between value and inconspicuous appearance compared to larger notes. Due to their frequency of daily use, counterfeits of these notes are less likely to be noticed.
If you have received counterfeit money, you should not continue to use it, as this is a criminal offence. Report the incident to the police immediately and hand over the counterfeit money. Make a note of where and from whom you received it to help with the investigation.
