I have to post this as an Urban Myth since I cannot find documentation to substantiate. But it is a potential fun fact and has lead to lively discussions with several copier technicians.
Can you still copy US currency with a color copier? I know that this has been done in the past. I was at a US Bank presentation that hosted Frank Abagnale who had told stories of those who had and how they were caught.
The most amusing tale was the one of the early teen (12-13) who went to the copier shop loaded the print area with $5 dollar bills and printed several sheets on what ever stock was in the machine. He then cut them out at home and passed them through a coin changer. When the FBI caught up with him he had thousands of dollars worth of quarters in his room. Apparently he was aware of the machines having a variance capacity of up to 5%, probably from a technician.
Upon hearing this story I started asking copier technicians is this still possible? I was informed that they are no longer capable of doing this. The computers within the copier are too smart. There is a sensor that checks for currency before each copy is made. If currency is attempting to be copied the machine shuts down and a special code is initiated. When the technician comes to repair the machine and see the currency code they are required to inform the FBI. Then I would assume that this is when the shit hits the fan.
Counterfeiting US currency is a federal crime even for Kinko’s.
I have to admit that upon hearing this I am still curious if this is a myth or truth. It makes enough sense to be true, but I am unwilling to risk a federal counterfeiting rap to test a theory.