When a denomination is redesigned are the old notes recalled, demonetized or devalued? (show answer)
No. It is not necessary to trade in your old-design $100 notes when the new ones start circulating. All U.S. currency remains legal tender, regardless of when it was issued.
What should people do if they receive a counterfeit note? (show answer)
If you suspect you have received a counterfeit note, contact your local police department or United States Secret Service field office. Write your initials and the date in the border of the suspect note. Remember to limit the handling of the note and carefully place it in a protective covering, such as an envelope. Surrender the note only to a police officer or a U.S. Secret Service agent.
How are new currency designs developed? Who selects the colors? (show answer)
The banknote designers at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing recommend the colors for new currency designs. These designers select colors based on the security features, design elements and multiple layers of complexity in the note’s architecture. Final approval of all currency designs rests with the Secretary of the Treasury.
Remember, people shouldn’t rely on color alone to check that their money is real because color is not a security feature. Checking key security features, such as the 3-D Security Ribbon and the Bell in the Inkwell in the new $100 note, is the most reliable way to verify the authenticity of a note.
What is the incentive for people to scrutinize their currency? (show answer)
It’s simple. If you end up with a counterfeit note, you will lose that money. A counterfeit note cannot be exchanged for a genuine one, and it is illegal to knowingly pass counterfeit currency.