Fake 200 bill? How to spot it? Find out now! 

Do you know how to spot a fake 200 reais bill? It's easier than you think! Read on to find out!

In 2022, a much talked about topic was the 200 reais note, in fact, she starred in many memes on social media and some controversies.

However, many people are unsure whether it existed or whether it was just a collective outbreak.

This is because, despite being in circulation for over years, few people have ever touched or even seen this note in person.

In fact, it not only existed but is still in circulation, to be more precise, there are around R$108 million notes of this value on the market. 

Due to its, let's say, unpopularity in the market and high value, it has also become a target for counterfeits. 

Because it is a rarely used note, it becomes even more difficult to immediately identify whether it is real or fake. 

Continue reading and find 6 tips that will help you identify any R$$200.00 bill that passes through your hands. 

How to identify a fake 200 note?

If you've ever held a R$200.00 note, you know how beautiful it is and how fake it even looks because we're not used to having the note in our wallet, but we'd really like to. 

The animal represented on the banknote is the maned wolf, the largest canid in South America. 

Due to its high value, attempts to counterfeit the note are very common. However, the banknote produced by the Central Bank has some security features that help identify it as genuine.

Among them, we find fluorescent elements that change color and remain on the number "200." Additionally, there are other indicators that the note is genuine or counterfeit. Check it out! 

#Watermark 

The watermark appears when the note is held up to the light, a characteristic that a fake 200 note it does not have. 

When the item is held up to the light, the image of the maned wolf and the number 200 appears superimposed on it.

The tones of the elements vary from light to dark. 

#Number that changes color

As already mentioned, the number 200 on the note is fluorescent, so when the note is moved, it changes color from green to blue. 

#Number hidden

Hold the note up to eye level and in a horizontal position, then check that the number 200 appears on the right-hand side in the center on the front, as well as on the right-hand side in the bottom corner, but on the back of the note.

#High relief

When touching the note, we can feel a raised relief in some areas, for example, in the legend “Federative Republic of Brazil” and also on the front, sides, and in the number indicating the value. 

#Safety wire

This is a security feature well-known to us Brazilians. From an early age, we learned to hold the bill up to the light and check for a vertical line.

If it appears, it means the note is genuine. The security thread appears near the middle of the note when held up to the light.

#Fluorescent elements

In addition to the fluorescent numbers that change color, the R$200.00 note has other elements with the same characteristics. 

The numbering on the front changes from red to yellow, apart from that, small threads become visible and vary between the colors: red, light blue and dark blue.

These are the main ways to discover a fake 200 note. To make it even easier to understand, see the folder that the Central Bank made available.

In it, you can see images of each security element mentioned here. It will certainly be of great value to your understanding.

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When the R$200.00 note was released, there was a huge frenzy: everyone wanted one!

However, almost at the same time the Pix and people began to use cash less, giving way to electronic payment methods.

The prepaid card has also seen good adoption since then, especially among those who did not have a credit card.

It works like a debit card, meaning it can only be used if you have a balance in your account. However, when paying the bill, you must select the "Credit" option.

This product offers some advantages to the consumer, such as: 

• Helps build credit history;
• Accepts negative people; 
• More balance control;
• Can be used on online websites and to make subscriptions;
• Most do not have an annual fee;
• Offers benefits of the brand;
• International coverage;
• Brings more security to your payments;
• They have a virtual version.

Continue reading to discover some of the best prepaid cards on the market. 

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1. PagBank International Prepaid Card

This card has international coverage, meaning it can be used in Brazil and abroad, both in physical and online stores. 

It is issued under the Mastercard banner, so customers still enjoy the benefits of the Mastercard Surpreenda program.

It makes it easier to control your spending and make payments. Because it's prepaid, there's no bill; simply top up and use it.

It is an alternative to use on a daily basis and avoid catching one fake 200 note, since it is not necessary to pay or receive cash.

One of the card's main drawbacks is that it costs R$1,400,000 to issue. If the customer doesn't use the card for 12 months, a monthly maintenance fee of R$1,400,000 will be charged. 

To apply, download the PagBank app and choose this option. This fintech also offers an account card, debit card, and credit card.

2. Banqi

The Banqi prepaid card has no annual fee and offers international coverage. It's also branded with Mastercard, so it's accepted at thousands of establishments and online stores. 

You can even use its virtual version and make your online purchases even safer.

It is linked to the Banqi digital account, where you can get discounts at the Casas Bahia online store, access personal loans, and also access the digital payment plan. 

One of the disadvantages of Banqi is that to request the card you need to have at least R$10.00 in your balance and pay the delivery fee. 

While you wait for your physical card to arrive, make your purchases with the virtual card. To request yours, download the Banqi app and open your account. 

3. RecargaPay Virtual Prepaid Card

RecargaPay's virtual prepaid card has no annual fee or issuance fee. You can top it up through the app, without needing a bank account or credit approval. 

Additionally, you can participate in the Mastercard Surpreenda program and enjoy benefits such as discounts on products from partner stores.

Prime+ plan subscribers have lower fees for making Pix payments with a credit card, cashback of up to 27%, a return on their wallet of 100% of the CDI in amounts starting at R$100, and much more.

Download the RecarPay app and open your account without bureaucracy. 

4. Protest Mastercard

The Proteste prepaid card has become a solution for those with a bad credit history or a low credit score. 

Although it doesn't offer a credit limit, it offers many advantages, such as cashback on purchases.

It also offers other benefits to its customers, including:

• Mastercard Benefits;
• Zero annual fee;
• Contactless payment;
• National and international coverage;
• You don't need to have a bank account;
• No credit analysis.

Find out how to request yours! 

5. Ewally prepaid card

Ewally does not consult SPC and Serasa when a customer requests their digital account or prepaid card. 

In addition to international coverage, it also has no annual fee. Furthermore, it features contactless technology and allows withdrawals from 24-hour banks.

The Ewally prepaid card is perfect for everyday purchases, as it is a simpler alternative. 

To avoid catching or even passing one fake 200 note unintentionally, download the app and request your card. 

6. Meliuz

The Méliuz prepaid card refunds up to 1% of your purchases. It's free and has no fees. 

With the card, you can make purchases online, in physical stores, use it in delivery apps, and even use it for transportation. 

Furthermore, it has international coverage and is issued by Mastercard. As you use your Méliuz card to pay your bills and make purchases, you'll build your credit history.

This way, you increase your chances of getting approved for credit. Méliuz also has a super cool and convenient digital account. 

Among the advantages offered, we find, for example:

• Crypto Investments from just R$1;
• Withdrawal at the 24-Hour Bank;
• Card without stripe to avoid cloning;
• Zero monthly and annual fees;
• Notifications of all transactions;
• Virtual card;
• Contactless payment.

Apply for your Méliuz prepaid card, use it as much as you can and increase your chances of getting the Méliuz credit card that offers benefits such as:

• 2% cashback;
• Platinum Benefits;
• Cryptoback;
• Installment purchases;
• Online signatures;
• Zero annual fee;
• International coverage.

Conclusion

In this text you discovered how to identify a fake 200 note, however, also discovered that to avoid this type of inconvenience, the best alternative is to move your money electronically, especially using a prepaid card. 

This card model is hassle-free, helps you control your spending, and offers other benefits, depending on the bank and brand.

Compare the alternatives mentioned in this text and choose the best option for your finances.