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Counterfeit Division
The Secret Service has exclusive jurisdiction for investigations involving the counterfeiting
of United States obligations and securities. This authority to investigate counterfeiting is
derived from Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 3056. Some of the counterfeited
United States obligations and securities commonly dealt with by the Secret Service include
U.S. currency and coins; U.S. Treasury checks; Department of Agriculture food coupons and
U.S. postage stamps. The Secret Service remains committed to the mission of combating
counterfeiting by working closely with state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as
foreign law enforcement agencies, to aggressively pursue counterfeiters. To perform at the
highest level, the Secret Service constantly reviews the latest reprographic/lithographic
technologies to keep a step ahead of the counterfeiters. The Secret Service maintains a
working relationship with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Federal Reserve
System to ensure the integrity of our currency. For more information visit our
Know Your Money page.
History of Counterfeiting
The counterfeiting of money is one of the oldest crimes in history. At some
periods in early history, it was considered treasonous and was punishable by death.
During the American Revolution, the British counterfeited U.S. currency in such
large amounts that the Continental currency soon became worthless. "Not
worth a Continental" became a popular expression that is still heard today.
During the Civil War, one-third to one-half of the currency in circulation was
counterfeit. At that time, approximately 1,600 state banks designed and printed
their own bills. Each bill carried a different design, making it difficult to
detect counterfeit bills from the 7,000 varieties of real bills.
A national currency was adopted in 1862 to resolve the counterfeiting problem.
However, the national currency was soon counterfeited and circulated so extensively
that it became necessary to take enforcement measures. Therefore, on July 5, 1865,
the United States Secret Service was established to suppress the wide-spread
counterfeiting of this nation's currency.
Although the counterfeiting of money was substantially suppressed after the
establishment of the Secret Service, this crime still represents a potential
danger to the Nation's economy.
Today, counterfeiting once again is on the rise. One reason for this is the
ease and speed with which large quantities of counterfeit currency can be produced
using modern photographic and printing equipment.
You can help guard against this threat by being more familiar with our currency.
Only with the public's cooperation and the aid of local law enforcement agencies can
the UnitedStates Secret Service hope to reduce and control this crime. Visit
the How to Detect Counterfeit Money section
of Know Your Money to find out more on how to
guard against forgery losses.
Investigative Mission |
Counterfeit |
Financial Crimes |
Forensic Services
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