How to spot counterfeit money

How to spot counterfeit money - Millions in fake currency. Counterfeit or real? With the holidays comes increased counterfeit cash. There's no shortage of cash circulating throughout the economy about $824 billion, according to a University of Wisconsin study. But a good chunk of that cash (how much?) may not be on the up and up. Counterfeit currency is a problem that just won't go away, despite the increased use of credit (which cards are the best?) and debit cards and e-payment technologies. Whether it's a street hustler passing off bogus $10 bills or professional counterfeiters dealing in stacks of $50 and $100 bills, fake currency has the full attention of the U.S. Treasury Department, the FBI and the Secret Service.

But, as the Secret Service points out, the American public has a significant role to play in uncovering counterfeit currency. Small-business owners and retail cashiers should be trained to examine and identify phony bills -- but the truth is that anyone can learn to spot a piece of counterfeit cash.

Following are some tips on how to get a handle on bogus bills. They're relatively easy to learn and can turn you into a sharp-eyed spotter of counterfeit currency.

via: msn