Answers About Currency
Select from the following questions about counterfeit bills, converting currency, mutilated bills, and depositing coins.
- When I got home, I discovered that I had received a counterfeit bill from the bank. When I tried to return it, the bank would not reimburse me. What can I do?
- How can I redeem mutilated (damaged) currency?
- How do I convert/exchange foreign currency/money?
- The bank will not accept my unrolled coins for exchange of currency. Is this legal?
When I got home, I discovered that I had received a counterfeit bill from the bank. When I tried to return it, the bank would not reimburse me. What can I do?
Unfortunately, once a customer leaves the bank premises, it becomes a factual dispute. The customer can claim the bank gave out the counterfeit bill; the bank can claim that the customer, after leaving the premises, obtained the counterfeit bill elsewhere.
The United States Secret Service has exclusive jurisdiction for investigations involving the counterfeiting of U.S. obligations and securities. For more information, visit the Secret Service Counterfeit Division page.
How can I redeem mutilated (damaged) currency?
Currency is considered mutilated if
- less than 50 percent of the note remains and
- a special examination is required to determine its value.
Mutilated currency may be mailed or personally delivered to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Please see the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s website which provides instructions for redeeming damaged currency. The website is:
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/uscurrency/damagedcurrency.html
Mutilated currency should be sent to:
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
MCD/OFM, BEPA
Room 344A
P.O. Box 37048
Washington, D. C. 20013
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing does not redeem damaged coins. Any fused, melted or otherwise mutilated coins should be sent to the US Mint for evaluation.
Mutilated coins can be sent to the following address for evaluation:
Superintendent
U. S. Mint
Attn: Mutilated Coins
Post Office Box 400
Philadelphia, PA. 19105
Currency that is not mutilated should be exchanged through your local bank.
7/2010
How do I convert/exchange foreign currency/money?
See if your bank provides this service. Or you may want to convert your foreign currency at the airport.
The bank will not accept my unrolled coins for exchange of currency. Is this legal?
Generally, a national bank can set its own internal policy as to whether it will accept or exchange unrolled coins for currency.
Phone: 800-613-6743
TDD Number 713-658-0340
TTY: (800) 877-8339 (via a relay service)