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KNOW YOUR MONEY

Every year the public is victimized by the counterfeiting of United States currency and other U.S. obligations.

Those who fail to carefully examine the money they receive or who cash checks and bonds without requesting proper identification are potential victims. Only with the public's cooperation can the United States Secret Service reduce and prevent these crimes.

This site is designed to help you detect counterfeit currency and guard against forgery loss.


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Table Of Contents

  1. History of United States Currency
  2. Characteristics of United States Paper Currency
  3. Design Features Which Vary On Genuine Currency
  4. Positions of Important Features
  5. Portraits and Back Designs on Other Paper Currency
  6. Design Features For Series 1990-1995 Issued Currency
  7. Design Features For Series 1996-2003A Issued Currency
  8. Design Features For Series 2004-2004A Issued Currency
  9. When Money Is Damaged or Wears Out
  10. Advanced Technologies in Counterfeiting
  11. How to Detect Counterfeit Money
  12. Raised Notes
  13. Counterfeit Coins
  14. Illustration of Currency, Checks or Other Obligations
  15. Security Features of U.S. Treasury Checks
  16. Altered Government Checks
  17. If you Suspect a Note is Counterfeit
  18. It's The Law
  19. Counterfeit Note Report Download (self-executable form)
  20. Know Your Money Poster (April 2008)

Click here to download Adobe Acrobat ReaderTo view these documents you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0. If you do not already have the software, please follow this link to get the free download.

For more information on United States currency, visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing web site at http://www.moneyfactory.com/.
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