What Is a Bill Checker and How Does It Work?
For centuries, there have always been issues and complaints from businesses, governments, and banks about counterfeit money. The US dollar, in particular, is considered the most counterfeit currency in the world; around $200 billion is lost in businesses due to fake money. One of the most effective ways that has proven to counter this problem is the use of a bill checker, which is also referred to as a counterfeit money detector.
What Does It Do?
A bill checker will scan banknotes, scrutinize the security checkers, and see whether it is real or fake. There are variations in terms of the detection while looking for the security characteristics on the bank notes. The detection ways include watermark detection, UV, metal thread examination, and microprinting verification.
4 Ways a Counterfeit Money Detector May Work
- UV Light
This technique looks to detect the security strip found in notes. When ultraviolet light is shone on the notes, they may show different color changes or hidden patterns that may distinguish them from the fake ones. A US dollar, for instance, will display a light purple hue on the serial numbers, a green seal on the front, and a yellowish tint on the red and blue numerals found on the back. This kind of detection is mainly utilized in the lower end and considered in more affordable equipment.
- Size Detection
More advanced counterfeit detectors weigh in on the size of the note to validate whether it is real or not. Given that most bills come in the same sizes and shapes, variations in dimensions would prove that a bill is fake. Size detection acts as an additional degree of security.
- Magnetic Sensors
Common materials used to make banknotes include magnetic ink, which contains particles of iron oxide that are detectable by magnetic sensors. When you use magnetic sensors to check a note, it activates the magnetic ink, generating an electrical signal, which is then scrutinized by the device. The signal should match the pattern of a genuine note to verify that it is real.
- Infrared Detection
This technique relies on the unique infrared patterns embedded within the currency. When an infrared light is shone on the bill, certain security features, such as specific inks or dyes, will either absorb or reflect the light differently compared to counterfeit notes. Additionally, genuine banknotes often contain infrared-responsive elements that reveal distinctive markings or patterns invisible to the naked eye.
Takeaway
In conclusion, while banks are constantly enhancing their security features by standardizing the weight, thickness, and size of banknotes, modern bill checkers play a vital role in detecting counterfeits. These devices utilize advanced methods like UV light, magnetic sensors, size detection, and infrared technology to verify the authenticity of currency accurately.
We recommend investing in automatic counterfeit detectors, as they deliver high accuracy when analyzing the specific characteristics of banknotes. However, it’s important to remember that counterfeiters continuously develop new techniques to bypass these detectors. So, regularly update and maintain your bill checkers to keep up with the latest security features and ensure they remain effective.