Narrator: Counterfeit detector pens are supposed to help you spot fake bills. But are they really reliable?

[Cut to a shot of a person holding a counterfeit detector pen and checking a bill.]

Narrator: Counterfeit detector pens work by detecting the presence of starch in paper. Genuine US bills are made with a blend of cotton and linen, which doesn't contain starch. However, some counterfeit bills are made with a different type of paper that does contain starch.

[Cut to a close-up of a counterfeit detector pen being used to check a bill.]

Narrator: When the pen's ink comes into contact with starch, it turns a dark color. This is supposed to indicate that the bill is counterfeit.

[Cut to a shot of a person holding a genuine bill and checking it with a counterfeit detector pen. The pen does not turn dark.]

Narrator: But counterfeit detector pens are not foolproof. Some counterfeit bills are made with a special coating that prevents the pen's ink from turning dark. Additionally, some genuine bills can contain trace amounts of starch, which can cause the pen to turn dark even though the bill is real.

[Cut to a shot of a person holding a counterfeit bill and checking it with a counterfeit detector pen. The pen turns dark.]

Narrator: So, while counterfeit detector pens can be a helpful tool, they are not a guarantee that a bill is genuine. If you suspect that a bill is counterfeit, you should always take it to a bank or credit union for verification.

[End of transcript.]