New Sharpie Counterfeit Detector Marker Helps Protect Business Owners From Counterfeit Currency

OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The new Sharpie® counterfeit detector marker may help business owners save millions in lost revenue each year due to fraudulent paper currency.

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http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=SharpieCounterfeitDetector(Sharpie%20Catalog)

According to the U.S. Secret Service, $182 million in fake money was reported in 2009—more than double the previous year(1). Today, counterfeiters can produce fake currency with basic computer skills and minimal training(2). The new Sharpie counterfeit detector marker turns the tables on thieves, empowering business owners to identify most fake currency almost immediately with a simple marker swipe on the suspect bill.

The Sharpie counterfeit detector marker ink is the genius behind the marker technology.  The specially formulated ink reacts to a key ingredient present in non U.S. Treasury bills.  The ink marked on a suspect bill will change color from golden brown to blue-black. Genuine U.S. bills will not produce an ink color change.  The marker is effective on most U.S. currency, including "new design" bills, and offers a cost-saving alternative to pricier UV countertop detection machines.

"Counterfeit bills are still in widespread use," said Sally Grimes, vice president of marketing for Sharpie.  "While no single measure can prevent all counterfeit bills, the Sharpie counterfeit detector marker provides business owners with a tool to quickly and easily distinguish between many fake and genuine bills."

"The ink color change is the key feature," said Grimes. "This ink makes it simple to test a bill's authenticity."

The Sharpie counterfeit detector marker features a line width comparable to a 0.5mm marker. Suggested retail price is $4.99 for a single pack, and $8.99 for a triple pack. Both are available wherever office products are sold.

The Sharpie counterfeit detector marker joins the complete Sharpie lineup of markers, highlighters, pens and pencils.  It is among the latest innovations from Sharpie, which include the Sharpie Pen and Sharpie Liquid Pencil.

For more information, go to www.sharpie.com.

ABOUT SHARPIE®

For 46 years, Sharpie has been the popular brand of permanent marker associated with the autograph experience.  Newell Rubbermaid, maker of Sharpie® markers, is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and marketing of writing instruments, art products and office organization and technology products, including such well-known brands as Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, DYMO®, Parker®, Waterman®, EXPO®, uni-ball®, and Rolodex®, among others. Visit www.sharpie.com for more information.

(1) Inc Magazine. www.inc.com/news/articles/2010/07/secret-servic-reports-surge-in-counterfeiting.html

(2) U.S. Secret Service. www.secretservice.gov/moneytechnologies.shtml

SOURCE Sharpie