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How to use a Ultraviolet Counterfeit Detector

Today, businesses have many options when it comes to counterfeit detection. Both, automatic & manual models are available at wide range of price points. Many businesses opt-in to purchasing a UV counterfeit detector, that requires the user to be able to spot a fake bill. This requires training, and not all businesses provide this. Here are some quick tips for employers to share with their employees. 

When you put a bill under UV light, a specific color should show 

- $100 Red

- $50 Yellow

- $20 Green

- $10 Orange

- $5 Blue

This is a fluorescent strip that should show up. This is because the money paper absorbs the light, but the security thread does not. 

Newer bills will show printing

The new $50 bills will show microprinting and graphics on the security thread. 

The security thread should be in a specific location on bills

Below is a diagram of the locations of security threads on US dollar bills.

How To Buy A Multifunctional Counterfeit Detector

As everyone knows, counterfeit technology is always changing and adapting to new counterfeit methods. Lately, we have been hearing about a new trend that has been hitting businesses unexpectedly. What some counterfeiters are now doing is bleaching $5 bills and printing $100 bill marks over it. This method has been around for quite a while, yet it is resurfacing and hitting companies who have not encountered it before. These businesses are now finding themselves ill-equipped to detect counterfeit bills. 

Most businesses use a inexpensive method for checking for counterfeit bills, a counterfeit detector pen. Though these are effective most of the time, they will not detect these new bills because they are printed on legit paper, which is what the pen method is checking. Investing in a more robust counterfeit machine will potentially save you thousands over time. Technology is so advance in the counterfeit prevention world, that you can now buy a machine that will detect a counterfeit bill, using multiple criteria in a matter of seconds. This allows for minimal interruptions in your employee’s transactions. 

Here are a few things to look at when buying a counterfeit detector: 

1. Method of detection 
   Find a machine that checks for more than one security method. Options are UV, magnetic strip, infrared, and metal thread detection. Luckily, there are machines that can cover all of these methods.
2. Speed of detection 
   The range in counterfeit speed detection can be anywhere from instant to 8 seconds, depending on the method used. When looking for a multifunctional counterfeit detector, try to find one that will detect fast, but is accurate.  
3. Counting option
   Many counterfeit machines simply just check to see if a bill is counterfeit. However, you can find a few that will not only detect counterfeit bills, but will also count bills, perform accumulation calculations, and more. 

4. Software updates

   As counterfeit technology changes, buying a machine can not appear to be as much of an investment. There are machines that will have available software upgrades for any future bill changes. Look for these, as the US Treasury department is always making changes.   

The federal government has taken action, with the redesign of the new $5 bill. There are now 2 watermarks, as well an embedded security thread that runs vertically. Specifically, this security thread has the letters “USA” followed by the number “5” and will glow blue under an ultraviolet light.

Tips for Buying a Safe

Whether you’re holding valuable materials in your home or office, using a safe to protect your belongings is often a good idea. Safes are available to protect a variety of materials under a number of conditions. Find safes to protect your valuables from water, fire, and other physical damage. Also, safes come in a variety of sizes and designs to accommodate almost any use. Below I have listed a few things you may want to consider before purchasing a safe.

Materials. Consider the types of materials that you will be holding in your safe. Many safes are designed to protect specific items like documents, media files, firearms, money, or other valuables such as jewelry.

Location. Consider where you would like your safe to be located. In an office, or in your home? Either way, safes are available to suit any location. Also, consider how you would like to use the safe. Does it need to be hidden in the floor or wall? Deciding on these elements will help you make a more intelligent decision.

Locking System. There are numerous locking systems on the market. You may come across key lock, biometric, keypad, electronic, and dial locking safes. Key lock and keypad safes are generally a little less secure than electronic and biometric safes. Key and electronic locks are best for situations in which more than one person will be using the safe. It is possible to set a safe with more than one keypad or electronic entry to make tracking users possible.

Protection. Finally, evaluate the types of protection your safe will need to keep your valuables secure. Safes can be designed to protect against fire, dust, water, impact, and other environmental elements. Every safe will be rated on fire, water, and impact capabilities; be sure to examine these ratings before purchasing.

Hopefully these tips will help you narrow your choices when purchasing a new safe. If you have any other suggestions or tips for people buying safes, leave a comment below!