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's ink doesn't change color.]

Narrator: However, some counterfeit bills are made with a coating that prevents the ink from turning dark. This means that even genuine bills can sometimes be rejected by counterfeit detector pens.

[Cut to a shot of a person holding a stack of counterfeit bills.]

Narrator: Counterfeit detector pens are not a reliable way to spot fake bills. If you suspect that a bill is counterfeit, you should take it to a bank or credit union for verification.

[Cut to a shot of a person depositing a stack of bills at a bank.]

Narrator: Banks and credit unions have special equipment that can accurately detect counterfeit bills.

[Cut to a shot of a person holding a genuine bill.]

Narrator: If you're not sure whether a bill is genuine, don't accept it. It's better to be safe than sorry.

[Cut to a shot of a group of people holding genuine bills.]

Narrator: Remember, counterfeit bills are not just a nuisance. They can also be used to fund criminal activities.

[Cut to a shot of a group of people handing over counterfeit bills to a criminal.]

Narrator: By being vigilant and knowing how to spot counterfeit bills, you can help protect yourself and your community from crime.