The US government recognizes the growing problem of counterfeiting currency using digital imaging technology, as desktop systems become more sophisticated, less expensive and more prevalent. As the rate of counterfeiting with this type of equipment has grown, the need for specific prevention methods has become apparent to the banknote authorities. As a result, the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve have begun to address issues related specifically to this type of counterfeiting. The technical representatives of these agencies are taking a comprehensive approach to minimize counterfeiting using digital technology. This approach includes identification of current technology solutions for banknote recognition, data stream intervention and output marking, outreach to the hardware and software industries and enhancement of public education efforts. Other aspects include strong support and cooperation with existing international efforts to prevent counterfeiting, review and amendment of existing anti- counterfeiting legislation and investigation of currency design techniques to make faithful reproduction more difficult. Implementation of these steps and others are to lead to establishment of a formal, permanent policy to address and prevent the use of emerging technologies to counterfeit currency.

Date Published: 7 April 2000
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 3973, Optical Security and Counterfeit Deterrence Techniques III, (7 April 2000); doi: 10.1117/12.382206

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 3973:
Optical Security and Counterfeit Deterrence Techniques III
Rudolf L. van Renesse; Willem A. Vliegenthart, Editor(s)