Damaged Money
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Money becomes damaged in many different ways. You can exchange bills that are dirty, defaced, torn, or worn out and that are still more than ½ of the original at your local bank or credit union for its face value.
When money is not at least more than ½ of the original bill, or the condition is questionable because of things like fire, water, chemicals or animals, a special examination is necessary in order to determine its value. This money is considered mutilated and they cannot simply be taken into your local bank and exchanged. Instead, to get your mutiliated money exchanged for face value, you will need to submit a claim directly to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for replacement.
Each case submitted will have an experienced mutilation currency examiner examine it in order to determine the amount and value of the submittal. When submitting your claim, be sure to include a letter stating what you believe the estimated value is and how the money ended up mutilated.
Carefully package the damaged money when you are preparing it for shipment to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The following tips are suggested so that you do not end up with additional damage:
- If brittle or falling apart, pack carefully in plastic and cotton without disturbing the fragments, then place the package in a secure container.
- If mutilated in a purse, box, or some other container, leave it in the container to protect the fragments from any further damage.
- If it is absolutely necessary to remove the fragments from the container, send the container along with the currency and any other contents that may have currency fragments attached.
- If flat when mutilated, do not roll or fold the bills.
- If in a roll when mutilated, do not attempt to unroll or straighten it out.
- If any coins or other metal is mixed with it, carefully remove it.
Mutilated notes should be mailed to the following address:
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
MCD/OFM, BEPA
Room 344A
P.O. Box 37048
Washington, D. C. 20013
Mutilated coins should be mailed to the following address:
Superintendent
U. S. Mint
Post Office Box 400
Philadelphia, PA 19105
All packages should be sent by Registered Mail, Return Receipt Requested and insurance for the package is suggested and your responsibility.
To contact the Bureau of Engraving and Printing regarding your mutilated money, call (866) 575-2361.
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Good article, Deb. Sometimes you can take it to a local bank and they will turn it in.
Funny story: when my youngest son was little his granny gave him a dollar. He was learning how to use scissors and cut it up into a bunch of little pieces. I pieced and taped it together best I could, took it to the bank and after laughing the clerk gave us another bill in exchange. I made sure he knew that was not a good idea and hid the scissors.
Pamela, that is hilarious!!
This is a great article. Now I will know what to do with damaged money. I accidentally shredded a bill once, but taped it up, and it seemed fine.
I live in Canada, and mutilating money is a crime in itself apparently with some harsh fines. I always thought that this was a funny fact because in my mind if I own the money, I should be able to do anything I want with it... hmm..
webguyonline 15 months ago
thanks for sharing, now I know what to do when I do received and found damaged money. :-)