Note: Do not return a counterfeit bill to the passer (client or non-client) under any circumstances.
Associate Role
The act of creating counterfeit money is a felony under the law.
The role of a Capital City Bank (CCB) associate is to become familiar with the U.S. Currency features. This knowledge provides the tools needed to detect counterfeit currency. The United States Secret Service relies on professional cash handlers to detect and retain any suspected counterfeit money presented to a financial institution.
Counterfeit Currency Detection
When detecting counterfeits compare the suspected bill to a genuine bill of the same denomination and series year. Look for differences, not similarities.
Genuine currency is printed from engraved steel plates using the highest quality equipment and paper designed for that purpose. Counterfeit paper currency may look suspicious because it is produced by a photo-offset process with equipment and paper designed for other purposes. Counterfeit detecting pens may also be used to determine the authenticity of the note.
Genuine Note/Bill Features
Paper
U.S. currency paper consists of both linen and cotton material and contain small randomly disbursed security fibers which are red and blue and are embedded throughout the paper.
The texture of a bill can easily be identified as counterfeit.
Watermark
Hold the bill up to a light to view the watermark in an unprinted space to the right of the portrait. The watermark can be seen from both sides of the bill since it is not printed on the bill, but is imbedded in the paper.
Color-Shifting Ink
If you hold the new series bill (except the $5 note) and tilt it back and forth, observe the numeral in the lower right hand corner as its color shifts from green to black and back.
DeleteSecurity Thread
Hold the bill up to a light to view the security thread. You should see a thin imbedded strip running from top to bottom on the face of a banknote. In the $10 and $50, the security strip is located to the right of the portrait, and in the $5, $20, and $100, it is located just to the left of the portrait.
Ultraviolet Glow
If the bill is held up to an ultraviolet light, the $5 bill glows blue, the $10 bill glows orange, the $20 bill glows green, the $50 bill glows yellow, and the $100 bill glows red - if they are authentic.
Micro Printing
There is minute micro printing on around the portrait and on the security threads. The micro printing is written on the security threads as follows:- $5 bill - USA FIVE
- $10 bill - USA TEN
- $20 bill - USA TWENTY
- $50 bill - USA 50
- $100 bill - USA 100
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Fine Line Printing Patterns
Very fine lines have been added behind the portrait and on the reverse side scene to make it harder to reproduce.
DeleteComparison
Compare the feel and texture of the paper with other bills which you know are authentic.
DeleteWhen You Receive a Counterfeit Bill
If a counterfeit bill is received and/or detected, do the following:
- Do not return the bill to the passer (client or non-client) under any circumstances.
- The teller and the passer surrendering the note must, using an ink pen, date and initial in the white border areas of the suspect note.
- If the person surrendering the note knows from whom he/she received it, or has a description of the passer or any other information, telephone the local Secret Service immediately and hold the note. Surrender the note only to a properly identified police officer or a U.S. Secret Service agent. Otherwise, if no information is available mail the note.
- Minimize handling the note.
- Place the note in an envelope.
- Write the word "Counterfeit" on the outside of the envelope and date it. If known, write the client name and the account number as well.
- Obtain the following information from the passer to complete a Suspected Counterfeit Note Submission Form SSF 1604.
- Name of Client - Individual or Business
- Client's Home Address - Individual or Business Local Address
- Client's Home Phone - Individual
- Client's Business Phone - Individual or Business Local Number
- Does the passer have any information as to the source of counterfeit?
*Note: If a counterfeit bill is in a deposit, the total cash must be changed to reflect the correct amount of genuine currency in the deposit. The deposit slip must be initialed by the passer (client/non-client) making the deposit. If the client is not present, the deposit slip must be initialed by two associates as well as the envelope the bill is placed in.
A Counterfeit bill found in any drawers, working cash, or found in a currency strap sold to another drawer (Teller, Working Cash, Vault, ATM, Cash Dispenser, and TCR) is written off to Over/Short and posted to the Teller's Performance Standards Record.
Counterfeit Bills Not in a Deposit
Clients that bring in a suspect bill that is not within a deposit should be directed to the local Secret Service Office. Refer to Who to Contact -Teller for Secret Service contact information.
Report a Counterfeit Bill
You are expected to complete a Suspected Counterfeit Note Submission Form SSF 1604 by the end of the business day the suspected counterfeit note/bill is identified.
As an exception, the bill may be kept in a marked envelope in the teller drawer for no more than 2 business days. (Day 1 = Day the bill is received, no matter what time).
If the bill is still in the teller drawer on the third business day, it is considered a failure to follow procedures and may result in disciplinary action.
Unexpected Absence: If a teller is out of the office UNEXPECTEDLY and an envelope containing a counterfeit bill is found in the drawer during a surprise audit or transfer count of the drawer, the counterfeit bill must be submitted by the end of the day of discovery. If the drawer is not audited or counted during the teller's unexpected absence, the bill must be submitted on the day of the teller's return.
- Complete the Suspected Counterfeit Note Submission Form SSF 1604.
- The Suspected Counterfeit Note Submission Form SSF 1604 includes instructions for submitting the note(s).
- Copy the Suspected Counterfeit Note Submission Form and place in retention file.
- Place the original form and the suspected counterfeit bill(s) in an envelope.
- Mail the envelope to the Secret Service office as indicated on the printed form from SSF 1604.
- Note: The form and suspected counterfeit bill(s) must be mailed the same day as the form is completed.