There are several ways for someone receiving money to protect themselves from counterfeits.
Know the Facts
Many times counterfeiters will try to make a fresh counterfeit bill appear worn and weathered to hide its appearance as clean, crisp bills of either kind are always easier to identify. In the cases reported here, the bills looked as though they had been washed in the laundry and were of the $20 denomination. The bills reported also lack the “Security Thread” found in authentic bills. The security thread is the thin bar that spans from the top to the bottom of the bill and is visible when held up to a light.
Detection Tools
Counterfeit Detector Pens area an easy and effective way to protect your business from counterfeit money. Simply make a mark on the bill in question with the pen and it will disappear if the bill is genuine, it will leave a permanent black mark if it is counterfeit. You can purchase these at ONE Office Solutions and Ben Franklin: Craft Central in Orange City. Both businesses are located across from Windmill Park in downtown Orange City.
Ultra Violet (UV) Lights will activate markings on the bill not visible to the naked eye under normal lighting conditions. These markings are some of the hardest to forge and if you feel the need to check large numbers of bills one of these will save you time versus a detector pen.
Know Your Money is a free pdf from the Secret Service that helps you identify real money vs fake money.