TRICKS OF THE CASH-HANDLING TRADE
By The Bank of Canada
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 
It seems the summer season is fast approaching and restaurateurs are gladly opening their patio doors to consumers looking to dine outside. Along with greater food and beverage sales comes an increase in the number of cash transactions and, subsequently, the risk of inadvertently getting stuck with counterfeit notes.
This begs the question: How can food service operators prevent counterfeiting losses from eating up their hard earned profits?
The answer: Ensure cash-handlers know how to identify a fake bill.
FEEL THE TEXTURE
The texture of the paper is the first checkpoint.
When a customer hands over a bill, run a thumb over the raised ink on either the large number on the right side of the bill or the words Bank of Canada/Banque du Canada on the left side of the bill. Some bills are more worn out than others and, consequently, might require a closer look; however, the raised ink is always noticeable.
LOOK FOR THE METALLIC STRIPE
Check at least one or two other security features before placing the money in the till.
With newer bills, tilt them back and forth to see if the metallic stripe changes colour. The colour should shift through the various shades of the rainbow. This motion also allows the recipient to see if the maple leaves on the stripe change colour. Each half of the leaves should be a different colour.
Using this same technique, observe the three maple leaves on the $5 bill and older $10 bills. They should shift from a faint image to a shiny gold colour when tilted.
As for the see-through number and watermark portrait found on newer bills, cash recipients can usually see these in one shot by tilting the bill towards them and looking through it when placing the bill in the till.
HELPFUL TRICKS
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“Comparing bills can increase the likelihood of spotting a fake.” |
Comparing bills can increase the likelihood of spotting a fake. When a bill is placed in the cash drawer or on a pile, compare it with one that is known to be genuine.
If given several bills, there are quick ways to uncover a suspicious one. Place the bills side by side or on top of one another in a way that the security features, such as the shiny metallic square (at the top left corner) on older bills or the metallic stripe and maple leaves on newer bills, are exposed. Look for differences in the clarity, colour and behaviour of these security features. Additionally, fan the bills to observe the colour change of these security features.
Checking cash should be as automatic as authorizing a credit or debit card transaction. Just as cashiers and waiters take the time to authorize credit and debit card transactions, they should take the time to ensure money received is the real deal. In fact, it takes a trained cash-handler the same if not less time to verify cash.
The Bank of Canada is the country’s central bank. For more information on what to do with a suspect note or to order materials, call 1-888-513-8212.
