How to Spot Counterfeit Money

I found a very useful article today that is a must-read for all of you bartenders out there. The article is titled, "How to Spot Counterfeit Money"

It happens more often than you think. People come into the bar (or any business for that matter), and try to pass fake bills off for real ones. It happens more so in bars because the transactions are usually fast paced and the bars are dark inside.

I wouldn't get too worried about the ones and fives, but I always check the higher denominations (pretty much anything that is a twenty or over). There are sneaky ways you can check the bill to make sure it's real without the customer even knowing. Before you put the bill in the register, give the bill a good swipe with a counterfeit pen. Make sure the ink turns the right color on the bill.

Another way is to use the light from your cash register or POS system display. Place the bill against the light and give it a good once over. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Trust me, there is a lot of counterfeit money out there. I have seen it. It isn't any fun when one of those bills comes through your register and you have to make up the difference because you didn't catch it.