Learn how to check your bank notes, how to report suspected counterfeits, and how we fight counterfeiting.
It pays to check
Checking the security features of your bank notes is the best way to avoid counterfeits. Here’s how to do it.
Feel
- Feel the smooth, unique texture of the note. It is made from a single piece of polymer with some transparent areas.
- Touch the portrait, the large number and the words “Bank of Canada” on the front of the note. You should find they are raised to the touch.
- Slide a finger over the word “Canada” in or around the large transparent window. It should feel slightly raised.
Look
- Look at the metallic portrait in the large transparent window. It should match the large portrait on the front of the note.
- Verify that the numbers in and around the large transparent window match the value of the note.
- For the vertical $10 note: Look at the detailed metallic images and symbols in and around the large transparent window. Check that they appear sharp and well defined.
Tilt
- Tilt the top of the note toward you. You should see colour changes in the metallic portrait and other holographic features, on both the front and back.
Flip
- Flip the note over and make sure the metallic portrait in the transparent window matches the large portrait on the front of the note.
- For the vertical $10 note: Make sure the metallic elements on the front of the note are repeated in the same colours and detail on the other side.
Checking bank notes protects everyone, so don’t be offended if someone carefully examines your bills. Routinely checking the security features of all notes—large and small—allows you to intercept counterfeits and keep them out of your wallet.
Security features are helpful only if you use them. We offer free training materials for the public, cash handlers and law enforcement agencies.
Questioning a bank note’s authenticity
If you suspect that you’re being offered a counterfeit note, do the following:
- Be courteous. Remember that the person in possession of the note could be an innocent victim who does not realize it is suspicious.
- Politely refuse the note and explain that you suspect it may be counterfeit.
- Ask for another note (and check it, too).
- Advise the person to check the note with the local police.
- Inform your local police of a possible attempt to pass suspected counterfeit money.
Reporting suspicious money
If you suspect that you’ve received a counterfeit note, give it to the local police. If the note is real, you’ll get it back.
Timely reporting helps police and prosecutors bring counterfeiters to justice and allows for the tracking of counterfeiting in our communities.
The impact of counterfeiting on Canadians
In recent years, the number of counterfeits in circulation has remained low and stable. Canadians are confident in their bank notes.
Still, the financial loss from a counterfeit note can be significant for individuals and businesses alike. Anyone who, knowingly or not, accepts a counterfeit bears the loss. In other words, there’s no reimbursement. It’s the same in any country. And in Canada, it is a criminal offence to knowingly use or keep counterfeit money.
Counterfeiting can also seriously undermine public confidence in our currency. Confidence is essential because once lost, it’s hard to regain.
It is a crime to make, possess, purchase, sell, import, export or knowingly use counterfeit currency.
Any reproduction of bank note images, including those for prop or training purposes, must comply with the Bank’s strict reproduction policy.
How we fight counterfeiting
We take counterfeiting very seriously and work with police and prosecutors to monitor and respond to counterfeiting threats and to minimize their impact on Canadians. We focus on:
- security — by issuing bank notes with leading-edge security features to help stay ahead of counterfeiting
- education — by conducting outreach and teaching the public, businesses and the police how to detect counterfeit notes
- quality — by printing new notes and monitoring those that are already in circulation, ensuring that worn notes are replaced efficiently and that notes handled in day-to-day transactions are of good quality, which makes them easy to verify and use