The goal of counterfeit money is to look as close to real money as possible, so yes, fake money often does look like real money. However, there are several ways to tell if a bill is fake:
How to Spot Fake Money:
- Feel the texture: Real money has a distinct texture, with raised printing and a slight roughness. Fake bills often feel smooth or have a different texture.
- Look for security features: Real bills have various security features, including watermarks, security threads, and color-shifting ink. Fake bills may lack these features or have poorly replicated ones.
- Check the portrait: The portrait on a real bill should be sharp and well-defined. On fake bills, the portrait may be blurry or poorly printed.
- Examine the serial number: Real bills have unique serial numbers that are evenly spaced and printed in a specific font. Fake bills may have misaligned or poorly printed serial numbers.
- Use a counterfeit detection pen: These pens contain a chemical that reacts with the ink on fake bills, turning the ink a different color.
If you suspect that you have a fake bill, it's best to contact the authorities.