Counterfeit Money

Information of the Counterfeit Money Unit

The Counterfeit Money Unit's task is to examine and store counterfeit money of any currency which is seized in Germany or confiscated by the police. We also check the authenticity of payment cards, securities, traveller's cheques and gold and silver coins which are legal tender. Another focal point of our work is to prevent the circulation of counterfeit money.

If you require information on counterfeit money, please contact us.

Counterfeit Money Unit H12

• Hegelstr. 65
• D - 55122 Mainz
• +49 6131 377-4488
• +49 6131 377-4499
• Falschgeldstelle@bundesbank.de

How can I recognise counterfeit banknotes?

All counterfeits of modern banknotes, including the euro, can be generally recognised without too much difficulty. Gross discrepancies in format, colour or picture elements are rare. The differences can only be seen upon much closer examination - by looking at the security features. Here are some tips.

The "Falschgeldleitfaden" (Guide to recognising counterfeit money, available in German only) contains a comparison of real and fake security features. We offer training courses in the detection of counterfeit euro banknotes free of charge at our branches. For a list of our branches and contact information, please visit our Branches page.

Current data on the incidence of counterfeit currency are given in the Deutsche Bundesbank press release.

Advice on how to recognise counterfeit money

1. Look at your money very closely. Don't go by the overall impression; concentrate instead on the individual security features that you already recognise.
2. Don't focus on just one security feature when checking the banknote.
3. Apply the "feel, look, tilt" principle to examine the security features that you recognise and if possible, check the banknote using a counterfeit detector.
4. Find another banknote to compare it with.
5. Still in doubt? Have the banknote(s) and/or coin(s) checked by your bank or by one of the branches of the Deutsche Bundesbank (euro only).

What to do if the money is counterfeit?

As a rule, notify the police immediately if you have received counterfeit money.

Using or returning counterfeit money is just as illegal as manufacturing it. Counterfeit money is not eligible for replacement!

Section 36 of the Bundesbank Act requires the Deutsche Bundesbank, credit institutions and financial institutions to detain currency that is counterfeit or suspected of being counterfeit. Counterfeit currency is to be handed over to the police and currency suspected of being counterfeit to the Deutsche Bundesbank. Failure to seize or report counterfeit currency is subject to a fine of up to € 100,000.

Form

• Submitting counterfeits and suspected counterfeits (german only)

How can I recognise counterfeit coins?

The basic guidelines for recognising counterfeit coins have been compiled in the "Falschgeldleitfaden" (Guide to recognising counterfeit coins, available in German only) by the counterfeit money experts from the Deutsche Bundesbank in collaboration with the European Technical and Scientific Centre.

Data on the incidence of counterfeit money are given in the Deutsche Bundesbank press release.

Information Material for commercial banks, shops, traders, restaurants and other companies

For counterfeit resilience, all people who professionally handle money, should be informed about the security features of banknotes and coins. To this end, the ECB offers information and training materials in all EU languages.