Bank notes: Resources for police and prosecutors

This section features training materials and legal tools to help police officers and Crown prosecutors learn about Canadian bank notes and counterfeiting offences.

These materials will help you assess suspected counterfeits and assist in your investigations. Prevention and deterrence efforts are essential in the fight against counterfeiting.

Police investigations of counterfeiting operations—on any scale—have a direct impact on halting this crime. Your actions prevent others from becoming victims, help to stop other criminal activity that is funded by counterfeiting and contribute to bringing counterfeiters to justice.

Counterfeiting statistics

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police publishes annual statistics on bank note counterfeiting in Canada.

Suspected counterfeit bank notes and forged payment cards

This RCMP form should be used by:

  • financial institutions and retailers to submit suspected counterfeit notes to their local police and
  • police agencies to submit suspected counterfeit notes to the RCMP’s National Anti-Counterfeiting Bureau

Legal resources for Crown prosecutors

To help build a case to be brought before the courts, the Bank offers trial materials, as well as resources on sentencing and information on precedents.

Trial materials

Sentencing materials

Sentencing precedents

Training material to download or order

Polymer notes are at the forefront in terms of security and are bolstering police efforts to preserve Canada’s economic integrity through effective counterfeit deterrence.

Our training materials can be used to:

  • Increase knowledge among police officers
  • Raise awareness in the community
  • Help take counterfeit bills out of circulation
In efforts to be more environmentally friendly, there are now fewer printed materials available for order from the Bank’s website. Feel free to download our materials and review the content online.

    Wise Up to Counterfeiting: A Guide for Police Officers (booklet)

    This booklet deals with security features and how to send suspected counterfeit notes to the RCMP. For law enforcement only.

    Police Duty-Book Insert

    A quick-reference tool with information on verifying the security features in bank notes, Criminal Code offences and key contacts.

    Currency Education Module

    This PowerPoint presentation may be used to train police officers and college or university students enrolled in criminal justice programs. It provides information on the nature of counterfeiting, how to verify the security features in bank notes, counterfeiting methods, and the related criminal law. For law enforcement only.

    if you are interested in receiving this training.

    Community materials to download or order

    Many of our materials are useful for community information sessions and for police departments.

    Security Features Leaflet – Vertical $10

    A summary of the security features on the vertical $10 bank note.

    Security Features Poster – Vertical $10

    A quick reference for staff, showing the security features of the vertical $10 bank note.

    Canada 150 Bank Note Security Features Fact Sheet

    A summary of the security features on the Canada 150 commemorative bank note.

    Commemorative $20 Note Fact Sheet

    A summary of the security features in the commemorative $20 note.

    Frontiers Series Leaflet

    Basic information on the security features of polymer bank notes.

    Canadian Journey Series Leaflet

    Basic information on the security features in the Canadian Journey series of bank notes.

    Employee Handbook

    For people who handle cash on the job, the complete guide to verifying bank notes.

    Know Your Money Leaflet (US Federal Reserve Notes)

    Comprehensive information on the security features of American bank notes.

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    Disclaimer

    The Bank of Canada offers free, postage-paid materials, but reserves the right to limit quantities.

    The Bank may contact the requestor prior to shipping to verify that certain audience-specific resources are destined for the right users.