Method for verifying the authenticity of documents

An apparatus for retracing a deposited counterfeit banknote, comprising:

• a control device configured to store characteristic data of deposited banknotes together with data of a depositor of said banknotes;
• a testing device in communication with said control device, the testing device being configured to recognize a banknote of said deposited banknotes as a counterfeit banknote and to determine and forward characteristic data of said counterfeit banknote to said control device;
• wherein said control device is configured to receive said characteristic data of a counterfeit banknote and to identify a depositor of the counterfeit banknote by comparing the stored characteristic data with the received characteristic data of the counterfeit banknote.

An apparatus for retracing a deposited counterfeit banknote, comprising:

• a control device configured to store characteristic data of deposited banknotes together with data of a depositor of said banknotes;
• a plurality of test stations in communication with said control device, said test stations being configured to recognize a banknote of said deposited banknotes as a counterfeit banknote and to determine and forward characteristic data of said counterfeit banknote to said control device;
• wherein said control device is configured to receive said characteristic data of a counterfeit banknote from said test stations and to identify a depositor of the counterfeit banknote by comparing the stored characteristic data with the received characteristic data of the counterfeit banknote.