Article 18 of Mexico's monetary law (*) prohibits the manufacture of domestic or foreign banknotes and coins with the characteristics of actual banknotes or coins.

Article 19 of the aforementioned monetary law(*), also states that whenever there is presumption of counterfeiting or alteration of a domestic or foreign banknote, the bearer can ask the Banco de México, directly or via any bank, to verify this assumption.

Currency counterfeiting or alteration is punished with imprisonment and economic penalties according to the terms of Articles 234 to 238 of the Penal Code for the Federal District -for common jurisdictional matters- and for all states -for federal Jurisdictional Matters. Those who knowingly distribute counterfeit banknotes or coins will also be punished.

References made to currency on this page include banknotes and metal coins except when expressly indicated.

Requests for verification of authenticity of a banknote or coin can be sent to the following address:

Banco de México
Gerencia de Planeación e Investigación de Seguridad
Presa de la Amistad No. 707, Col. Irrigación, C. P. 11500, México, D. F.
Phone number:  +52 (55) 5268.8327

Otherwise, you may contact Banco de México through any credit institution (bank) or through any exchange center.

How to denounce banknote counterfeiting