Isn’t it surprising to know that – one out of every 100 dollar bills in circulation is counterfeit. Although there are very well-made counterfeits, you can identify if your dollars are original by following eight tips.

Counterfeit dollars continue to circulate in the market despite the technology and security mechanisms available to the U.S. government.

Don’t let a cat get in the way of a hare. When you are going to buy dollars, do so at an exchange center. If you do it in the black market, it is likely that you will end up with fake dollars.

Here are eight tips that can help you recognize if you’re really getting an original bill.

1. Feel the texture

The first thing you have to do is touch the note. When it comes to counterfeit notes, the paper used is of lower quality. Generally, these are covered with paraffin so that they acquire a greater roughness. However, the originals are more rough and, because of the wax, the counterfeits have a more “greasy” texture than the original banknotes.

2. Look at the colors

The color scheme of real banknote is very difficult to copy due to the contrasts between pale and vivid colors. For the most part, counterfeits tend to have a brighter green. In addition, the low quality of the paper causes them to lose their color with use. You may rub the counterfeits on white paper and they will fade, leaving a little green on the paper.

3. Look at the portrait

In the original banknote the features of the characters are carefully defined. If you compare it, you will find that in the counterfeit note, the face does not have so many details, the wrinkles are not marked and the edges are not well defined what makes that the face of these powerful individual is lost with the bottom.

4. Check for watermarks

If you are not sure yet, bear in mind that in the original note, you should see a clear image of the face of the character on the banknote. This image preserves all the details of the face: the nose, eyebrows, eyes and mouth are clearly defined. There should be no fine lines around the head. The watermark should be visible on both sides of the banknote.

5. Look at the numeric value (bottom right)

The number value in the lower right corner changes color. It changes from black to green and in the latest design, from copper to green. This value, like the text “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, must be in high relief.

6. Browse Serial Numbers

Serial numbers are in the same color as the Treasure seal. On counterfeit notes the numbers may not be perfectly spaced or aligned.

7. Look for the security thread

The original banknotes have a security thread that translucently looks like a vertical silver line bearing the expression “USA” followed by the denomination of the banknote. For example, the US$100 banknote shows “100 USA 100 USA”.

8. Note the colored fibers on the paper

Real banknotes have small red or blue fibers. Counterfeiters imitate them by printing them or drawing them on paper, but remember that these fibers are part of the paper.