Quick Facts

• The library has received both $5 and $20 counterfeit bills at branches.
• Use the counterfeit detector pen if you think a bill might be counterfeit.
• Suspected counterfeit bills should be kept separate from the deposit.

Procedure

If You Think You Have a Counterfeit Bill/Note

1. Using the counterfeit bill detector pen, mark a dot or a line anywhere on the bill
2. Wait about 5 seconds for the detector to check for any reaction
   • If it turns yellow, the bill is genuine and the color will disappear 
   • If it turns black, the bill is counterfeit and the color will remain
3. If the bill is counterfeit, do not return the note to the patron. However, if the patron becomes aggressive and demands the note back, give it back. Your personal safety is more important than identifying a potentially counterfeit note.

4. Notify the PIC immediately.

Tip

This is the Secret Service's Know Your Money handout from the Treasury website. This has some information on identifying counterfeit currency. Additionally, Multco Marketplace has counterfeit detection pens available for purchase.

If You Have a Counterfeit Bill/Note

1. Hold the bill out of the deposit and make a note in the Notes section of the cash form.
   Example: cash short - suspected counterfeit $20
2. Fill out the USSS Counterfeit Note Report from the Treasury website on Commons with as much information as you have available. You do not need to forward this to Secret Service.
3. Contact Business Services at x87800 or jayde.delano@multco.us for next steps. The bill and the report will go to Multnomah County Treasury for completion and follow up but they prefer that we don't use Interoffice mail.