How to Spot a Fake $20 Bill

Counterfeit bills have been circulating for years, but with advancing technology and improved methods of producing fake currency, it's becoming harder to spot these fraudulent notes. The $20 bill is among the most counterfeited denominations in the U.S., so learning how to distinguish a real bill from a fake one is essential, not just for peace of mind but also for legal reasons. In this guide, we’ll break down key ways you can identify a counterfeit $20 bill, using a combination of visual, tactile, and forensic techniques. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to look for and feel confident handling cash without falling victim to a scam.

The First Sign: How Does It Feel?

The U.S. Treasury uses high-quality cotton-linen paper for all legal currency. If you've handled cash before, you know it has a distinct feel. A counterfeit bill often feels different, especially when made with lower-quality paper. Run your fingers across the bill and notice how it feels. Does it have the crisp, slightly rough texture of a real bill, or does it feel smooth, thin, or waxy? The texture alone can be a telltale sign that something's off.

Another thing to note is the raised printing. Genuine U.S. bills have slightly raised ink, which you can feel if you run your fingers across the numbers or letters. A fake bill may lack this feature, feeling flat or smooth instead. This isn't foolproof, but it’s a solid first step in determining authenticity.

Watermark Check: Hold It Up to the Light

The next and possibly easiest method to spot a fake $20 bill is by using the watermark test. Hold the bill up to a light source and look for a faint watermark of President Andrew Jackson’s portrait on the right side of the bill. This portrait should match the larger portrait on the front of the bill. If the watermark is absent or doesn’t match, then you’re likely dealing with a counterfeit.

One thing to remember is that the watermark should be visible from both sides of the bill. Some counterfeiters attempt to print a fake watermark on only one side, so be sure to double-check. Additionally, if the bill is printed on lower-quality paper, the watermark might appear blurry or unclear.

Security Thread: Is It There?

A legitimate $20 bill features a vertical security thread embedded in the paper. To spot it, hold the bill up to a light again and look for this thin strip. On a real bill, the thread is located to the left of Andrew Jackson’s portrait and should glow green under ultraviolet (UV) light. This strip also has small print repeating the words "USA TWENTY" along its length.

If you don’t see the thread, or it doesn’t glow under UV light, you’ve got yourself a fake bill. Some sophisticated counterfeiters may attempt to include a fake security strip, but often it won't have the UV-reactive properties or the correct placement.

Check the Microprinting: Tiny Details Matter

Microprinting is one of the more difficult features for counterfeiters to replicate. It’s used on the $20 bill as a security measure to deter counterfeiting. Look closely at the bill, especially around the portrait and the lower borders. On a genuine $20 bill, you should find tiny, crisp microprinted text.

For example, the words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appear in small letters in Andrew Jackson's jacket collar. Another place to check is around the security thread, where "USA TWENTY" is repeated. Counterfeiters often fail to reproduce this level of detail, so if the text appears blurry or hard to read, that’s a red flag.

Color-Shifting Ink: Is the Number 20 Changing Colors?

Another crucial feature of a real $20 bill is the color-shifting ink used for the numeral “20” in the lower right corner. When you tilt the bill back and forth, the number should change from copper to green. This subtle shift in color is due to a special ink that’s difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.

If the “20” doesn’t change colors or looks off in any way, you’re likely dealing with a fake. This is one of the more effective features because it’s easy to check but hard to reproduce for counterfeiters.

Look at the Serial Numbers: Consistency Is Key

Every U.S. bill has a unique serial number printed twice, once in the upper left and once in the lower right. Make sure these serial numbers match each other. If they don’t, you’ve got a fake bill. Additionally, the color of the serial numbers should be the same as the Treasury Seal on the front of the bill.

Another good trick is to check if the serial numbers are spaced correctly and printed cleanly. On fake bills, serial numbers are often uneven or slightly askew, while real bills have perfectly aligned and spaced numbers.

Forensic Methods: UV Light, Magnification, and More

If you have access to some basic forensic tools, there are additional methods you can use to verify the authenticity of a $20 bill.

1. UV Light Test: As mentioned earlier, the security thread on a real $20 bill should glow green under UV light. Additionally, other parts of the bill might show subtle glowing elements that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

2. Magnifying Glass: Use a magnifying glass to examine the fine details on the bill, particularly the microprinting and small elements in the portrait and border. Counterfeiters may blur or distort these details because they're difficult to reproduce without specialized printing equipment.

3. Infrared Scanning: Some counterfeit bills can be exposed using infrared light, as genuine U.S. currency absorbs certain wavelengths that counterfeit bills might not.

Failed Attempts: Common Counterfeiting Techniques

The lengths counterfeiters go to can be impressive, but their failures are equally revealing. One common method is to bleach lower-denomination bills and reprint them as $20 bills. While these may feel like real currency because of the legitimate paper, they often fail the UV and watermark tests.

Another approach is using high-resolution printers, but these counterfeit bills are easily caught due to the inferior paper and the inability to replicate features like raised ink, microprinting, and the color-shifting ink.

What to Do If You Receive a Fake $20 Bill

If you ever receive a bill you suspect is counterfeit, it’s important to follow the right procedures. Do not try to spend or redistribute the bill. Instead, take it to your local bank or contact the U.S. Secret Service, which handles investigations related to counterfeit currency.

You may be asked how you received the bill, so keeping detailed notes on when and where you got it can be helpful. It’s illegal to knowingly pass counterfeit currency, so don’t risk it by attempting to return the bill to someone else or use it in a transaction.

Summary of Key Features to Check

• Texture and raised ink: Does it feel like a real bill?
• Watermark: Hold it up to the light; does it match the portrait?
• Security thread: Is it present and glowing under UV light?
• Microprinting: Are the tiny details crisp and readable?
• Color-shifting ink: Does the “20” change colors?
• Serial numbers: Do they match and align properly?

By checking these features, you’ll be equipped to spot a counterfeit $20 bill in seconds. Always trust your instincts; if something seems off, double-check, and don’t hesitate to ask for another bill if you're unsure. It’s better to be cautious than end up with a worthless counterfeit in your wallet.