Avoiding Counterfeit Bills

Canadian paper money has security features that are reliable and easy to use. By checking a few of the features whenever you accept cash, you can avoid being stuck with counterfeit bills. It’s as easy as paying attention to the look and feel of the bills. Here are some of the security features:

1. Holographic stripe — Tilt the bill, and brightly coloured numbers and maple leaves will “move” within the shiny, metallic strip. Colours will change through the various shades of the rainbow.
2. Colour-shifting thread — Hold the bill to the light, and a continuous, solid line appears. From the back of the note, the woven dashes of the thread shift from gold to green when the note is tilted.
3. Watermark portrait — Hold the bill to the light and a small, ghostlike image of the portrait appears to the left of the large number.
4. See-through number — Hold the bill to the light and, just like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, the irregular marks on the front and back will form a complete and perfectly aligned number.
5. Raised ink — Slide your thumb or fingers over the bill to feel the raised ink on the portrait (particularly the shoulders), large number, and other areas of the bank note that are thicker to the touch.

For more information on the security features on Canada’s bank notes, visit the Bank of Canada at www.bankofcanada.ca/en/banknotes. The Bank of Canada also offers free quick-tip materials for consumers and businesses.