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SECURITY
THREAD
 
A security thread is a thin thread or ribbon running through a
bank note substrate. All 1990 series and later notes, except the
$1, include this feature. The note’s denomination is printed on
the thread. In addition, the threads of the new $5, $10, $20 and
$50 notes have graphics in addition to the printed denomination.
The denomination number appears in the star field of the flag
printed on the thread. The thread in the new notes glows when held
under a long-wave ultraviolet light. In the new $5 it glows blue,
in the new $10 it glows orange, in the new $20 note it glows
green, in the new $50 note it glows yellow, and in the new $100
note it glows red. Since it is visible in transmitted light, but
not in reflected light, the thread is difficult to copy with a
color copier which uses reflected light to generate an image.
Using a unique thread position for each denomination guards
against certain counterfeit techniques, such as bleaching ink off
a lower denomination and using the paper to "reprint" the bill as
a higher value note.
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Credit Cards
 Most
credit cards have a hidden ultraviolet security
feature that is only visible under the UV lamp. To
authenticate, simply place the credit card front
side up, under the UV lamp and look for the
ultraviolet security feature (s) that appear on
genuine credit cards as listed below. A distorted
image alerts the merchant of a possible counterfeit
card. The merchant can call the credit card issuer,
thereby limiting the risk. If an image does not
appear, the card may be counterfeit.
 
Security Features
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American Express
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"AMEX" in one inch
letters with a globe in the center |
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Visa |
An image of a dove
in the center of the card |
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MasterCard |
Capital letters
"M" and "C" on the front of the card |
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Discover
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"NOVUS" logo,
newer cards have "DISCOVER" |
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Diners Club |
Capital letter "D" |
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Use our lights or
other UV Light Methods and protect your bottom line
Checks
- All checks made
of Secure paper such as Bank Checks will absorb
the UV light. And will not glow.
- Bank checks may
also have security markings that will only be seen
under the UVlight.
- If checks have
been washed or chemically altered they may appear
lighter in color in the significant areas i.e.
payee/signor and dollar amount areas.
- All Federal
Government checks have intricate UV security
features
Traveler's
Checks
- Traveler's
checks will glow if counterfeit, but will appear
dull if genuine, just like currency.
- Traveler's
checks are printed with fluorescent signature
lines to protect against "washing". If areas of
the check appear blue under the UV light, it may
have been "washed."
- Traveler's
checks have watermarks.
International Currency
Most
international currencies have security threads,
holograms, and watermarks. To authenticate, simply
place any of these items under the UV lamp and look
for the appropriate security features.
State Issued
Driver's Licenses
 
The UV properties
associated with the driver license will vary by
State.
More than two dozen State licenses may contain some
type of UV property in the laminate that will glow
under black light. TO VERIFY: OBTAIN A NEW ISSUE
OF YOUR STATE'S DRIVERS LICENSE AND EXAMINE UNDER
THE UV SCANNER.
If hidden security features are built in they will
immediately show up under the light.
- For example,
the repeated words "Texas" appears across the face
of the new Texas driver license format introduced
a few years ago. New Massachusetts licenses have
two horizontal lines of MA MA MA MA running across
the license. CALIFORNIA introduced its new license
on July 6, 2001 with a hidden multi-colored
fluorescent image of the State Flag. Colorado is
in the process of introducing ultraviolet security
features, as are other states. The following
states may at present have security features:
AK, AZ, CA, CT, District of Columbia, FL, HI, ID,
IL, IA, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NH, NM, NY,
PA, SD, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY.
Resident
Alien/Green Cards
If authentic,
depending on year of issue, either "USA" or an image
of the U.S. Flag will fluoresce throughout the card
when placed under the UV light.
Passports
All passports have
various unseen multi-colored UV fluorescent emblems
and images which will be revealed by the scanner,
including The U.S. Immigration Service Date Stamp.
Content will differ by Country
Casino Chips
Casino chips are treated as currency in the casino
environment. Many casino chips contain ID marks,
which will fluoresce under UV light.
Event Tickets
Most companies
that issue event tickets for music, sporting and
other events, implement security features to stop
counterfeiters.
Other Items
Most U.S.
Government Checks, Cashier's Checks and immigration
cards have holograms and/or watermarks for
verification. To authenticate, place any of these
items under the UV lamp and look for the embedded
holograms and/or watermarks that should appear in
genuine instruments or documents.
Useful Links
Various IDs -
Passports, Alien Registration, etc.
http://www.usborderpatrol.com/borderframe1712.htm
Security Features - U S
Treasury Checks
www.fms.treas.gov/checkclaims/check_security_new.pdf
Counterfeit Scams - U S
Treasury Checks
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/specialalert/2005/sa8705.html
Security Features - U S Postal
Money Orders
www.usps.com/missingmoneyorders/_pdf/not299-May2005final.pdf
Security Features - Traveler's
Cheques
http://www.webguru.com/counterfeit-travelors-cheque.htm
Security
Features - Currency
http://www.secretservice.gov/money_detect.shtml
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney/main.cfm/currency/new10
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney/main.cfm/currency/new20
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney/main.cfm/currency/new50
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PLEASE
NOTE THAT BELOW BULB IS FOR THE MONEY CHECKER
MACHINE WE NO LONGER SELL! IT SERVES NO PURPOSE TO
PURCHASE BULB WITHOUT MONEY CHECK MACHINE!!!
within the USA
ONLY!