Bank officials, police tell public how to spot fake money

Some material from the Bank of Canada kit on the new polymer bills, in Windsor, Ont., on Friday, March 22, 2013. (Melanie Borrelli / CTV Windsor)

An awareness campaign at Devonshire Mall is teaching business owners and consumers how to spot a fake bill.

The RCMP and Windsor police are helping the Bank of Canada with the initiative.

Bank representatives were handing out kits Friday with a DVD and information about the new polymer money.

Some tips from the bank on the areas of the bill to check include:

-Metallic stripe – Tilt the bill back and forth. The numbers and maple leaves change colour.

-Raised ink – Feel for the thicker number and the words

-Dashes  -Hold the bill up to the light and look through it. The dashes become a solid line.

-Ghost image – Hold the bill up to the light and look through it. A small ghost-like image of the portrait appears.

-Puzzle number – Hold the bill up to the light and look through it. Irregular marks on the front and back of the bill form a complete number.