How to know Is the 100 note fake? Learn how to evaluate it!

The rise in the circulation of counterfeit banknotes poses a constant challenge for financial and law enforcement authorities worldwide. In Brazil, the Central Bank (BC) revealed alarming data on the seizure of counterfeit banknotes in the first two months of 2022.

Amidst all this, a question remains: how can you tell if a 100-dollar bill is fake? Being one of the most counterfeited bills, you need to be careful when receiving and paying to avoid financial problems.

Follow our article and get all the details to know how to recognize if a 100 note is fake or real.

What is the most counterfeited real note?

The latest data released by the Central Bank of Brazil is from 2022, which shows the number of notes that were counterfeited.

In 2022, an impressive 14,300 counterfeit notes were seized in just two months, according to the Central Bank.

Among them, the counterfeiters' favorites are the R$ 100 notes, totaling 6,006 copies, and the R$ 200 notes, with 3,879 units seized.

The R$ 50 and R$ 20 notes also appear on the list of the most counterfeited, indicating a diversification in criminals' targets.

This preference occurs because the R$ 100 and R$ 200 notes have the highest values within the Brazilian system.

Therefore, it is essential to be careful when receiving money to avoid problems with counterfeit notes.

How to identify a fake 100 reais note?

When creating banknotes, the Central Bank added security features to ensure you know whether a note is genuine or counterfeit. These features can be verified by anyone, making it easier to determine whether a note is genuine or not.

Therefore, you just need to take a good look at the bill and you will see several signs that it may or may not be fake.

So, there are seven security systems on the $100 bill that you should look for to check whether the note is genuine or counterfeit. They are:

• The watermark of the 100 note
• The safety thread
• The high relief
• The puzzle
• The hidden number
• Flourishing elements
• Holographic strip on the 100 and 50 note

The watermark of the 100 note

The watermark is one of the security features present on Brazilian banknotes, playing a fundamental role in preventing counterfeiting.

In the case of the 100 reais note, the watermark is an additional authentication measure that allows users and merchants to easily identify the authenticity of the note.

A watermark is a three-dimensional image or pattern embedded in paper money during the manufacturing process. This technique gives the note a unique visual characteristic that is difficult to accurately reproduce using conventional counterfeiting methods.

Furthermore, the watermark is visible when the note is held up to the light, providing a quick and efficient verification of its authenticity.

To check the watermark on the 100 reais note, you'll need to use a suitable light source, such as sunlight or a bright lamp. Follow the steps below to view the watermark:

1. Choose a Bright Environment.
2. Position the Note Against the Light.
3. Notice the Watermark.

In the specific case of the 100 note, the watermark features only the image of the Republic. This design appears on the 100 and 50 notes. Only smaller notes (20, 10, 5) feature the image of the flag.

The safety thread

A crucial security measure is when carefully inspecting Brazilian banknotes against the light. A dark thread, strategically positioned near the center of the note, becomes visible, carrying vital information for verifying the legitimacy of the paper currency.

This thread bears precise inscriptions, including the corresponding value of the note and the word “REAIS,” standing out as a distinctive and crucial marker in the battle against counterfeiting.

It's worth noting that this specific feature is exclusive to the 10, 20, 50, and 100 reais notes, adding an extra layer of protection to the most widely used denominations.

When the note is held up to the light, the characters engraved on the thread become visible, providing users and merchants with an effective visual tool for instant and secure authentication.

Feel the relief of the 100 note

Through touch, it is possible to feel the texture in specific areas of Brazilian notes.

On the front, the high relief inscription “REPÚBLICA FEDERATIVA DO BRASIL” stands out, on the side ends and on the numbers indicating the value.

On the 20, 50 and 100 reais notes, this tactile experience extends to the back, where you can feel the relief in the inscription “BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL”, in the representation of the animal and in the number indicating the value.

The richness of the embossing not only adds a sensory dimension to the notes, but also serves as an additional measure of authenticity.

Check out the puzzle

When holding the note up to the light, the parts of the design on the back cleverly complement the representations on the front, thus forming the number of the note's value.

This technique transforms each note into a visual puzzle, where carefully arranged images converge to create a unified representation of the face value.

By exploring the perfect fit of the images on the front and back of the note, it is possible to identify the value of each note and also serves as an additional security measure against counterfeiting.

The hidden number on the 100 note

By raising the note to eye level, in a horizontal position, in a well-lit environment, the value of the note materializes in the designated areas, providing even greater security.

This way, you can check the authenticity of the note and it will give you more security and certainty that the 100 note is not counterfeit.

Flourishing elements

When exposed to ultraviolet light, several surprising characteristics manifest, allowing for a more in-depth analysis of the paper money's authenticity.

The denomination number appears in the designated area on the front of the note. Furthermore, the serial number, normally red, takes on a distinctive yellow hue when exposed to this special light.

Close observation also reveals the presence of small threads that become visible in a lilac hue, reinforcing the complexity and sophistication of the security elements incorporated into Brazilian banknotes.

These details, visible only under ultraviolet light, highlight the constant evolution of security measures adopted by monetary authorities to protect the integrity of the financial system.

Check out the holographic strip on the 100 and 50 notes

As the note is moved, a series of visual effects unfold on this unique holographic strip. The denomination number and the word "REAIS" interact dynamically, alternating vividly.

Furthermore, the animal's representation gains more color. Looking closely, additional details emerge, such as leaves (on the 50 reais bill) or corals (on the 100 reais bill), revealing a variety of changing hues.

This stripe, present exclusively on higher-value notes, represents an additional layer of security.

Received a counterfeit 100 reais bill? Here's what to do

If you suspect the $100 bill you received is counterfeit, there are a few steps you can take. These steps are designed to increase your security and help you avoid counterfeit bills in your daily life.

I received a fake 100 note at the bank

If you are inside a bank branch during business hours, immediately go to the branch manager to request action and prompt replacement of the counterfeit note.

If you do not reach a satisfactory solution with the manager, the citizen should go to the nearest police station to report the possible incident.

If you are outside a branch (ATM) or outside banking hours, at the first opportunity, go to the manager of your bank branch to request action and prompt replacement of the counterfeit note.

If there is no satisfactory solution with the bank manager, the citizen should go to the nearest police station to report the possible incident.

I received a fake 100 note on a daily basis

When making a purchase, it is crucial to verify the authenticity of notes, both for merchants and for customers receiving change.

If there is any suspicion that the note received is counterfeit, the correct action is to immediately take it to the bank branch and inform the manager.

The procedure adopted in these situations differs from the usual one. The bank branch will request information from the complainant, such as full name, CPF, telephone number, and address, and forward the note to the Central Bank for analysis.

The taxpayer will have the possibility to follow the verification of the note through of this site.

If the note's authenticity is confirmed, the bank will contact the customer to issue a refund. However, if the note is, in fact, counterfeit, there will be no refund. This practice aims to ensure the integrity of monetary circulation and protect consumers and businesses against fraudulent transactions.

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