Dri Mark 351BCL Counterfeit Marker with Coil Cord

The U.S. Secret Service estimates that, at any given time, there may be two-hundred million dollars or more of counterfeit money in circulation. Everyday, retailers across the country lose money by accepting counterfeit currency, and the problem is getting worse.

Until about twenty years ago, counterfeiters needed to use expensive, engraved plates and commercial printing equipment to make credible fake money. Now, anyone can make counterfeit bills with a computer, a scanner, and a printer.

In recent years, the government has incorporated security features in U.S. currency to make counterfeiting more difficult; but, this has not stopped counterfeiters who always seem to find a way. What can you do to protect your business?

Dri Mark makes three inexpensive and effective products that can help you to identify counterfeit money before it gets into your cash register. U.S. currency is printed on special paper stock, which is only available to the government. Most counterfeit money is printed on readily-available, non-currency paper. The pen detects authentic currency paper with a quick test. As you can see, a yellow mark appears on this genuine bill. But the mark turns dark on this counterfeit bill, which is printed on common paper stock. Another common method of counterfeiting is called bleaching or washing, where the ink on a genuine small denomination bill is removed with a heavy solvent. The blank currency paper is then reprinted as a larger denomination bill like a fifty or a one-hundred. To detect this type of counterfeit, Dri Mark introduced the Dual Detector. A powerful UV light is combined with a pen for two quick and easy tests. The UV light tests for a UV-sensitive stripe, which is present on all genuine bills, five dollars and up. The security thread in each denomination is in a different color and position on each bill so a beached bill security thread will be in the wrong color and position on the bill. This is a genuine fifty dollar bill. See how the stripe is illuminated by the UV light. The stripe is not present in the counterfeit bill.

For even more security, Dri Mark has introduced the Tri Test Detector. This compact, but powerful, countertop unit combines a more powerful array of UV lights with a pen and another test for verifying the watermark portrait on higher denomination bills. Notice the illumination of the security stripe. And now, with a quick toggle, the watermark portrait on this genuine fifty. Notice the absence of the stripe on this counterfeit. Notice the absence of a watermark on this counterfeit bill. On the front of the unit, this graphic chart shows the location and color of the security stripe for all denominations. The counterfeit detector pen is included in this side slot for an extra level of protection. The Tri Test operates for many months on three “C” batteries, or it can be powered by an optional A/C adaptor. The powerful LED lights last for thousands of hours.

For more information on counterfeit money, and security features of U.S. currency, look on the bureau of engraving and printing website, www.moneyfactory.com.