You are describing the possible collection of circ*mstantial evidence, not systemic surveillance inherent to cash. Completely different thing than the transaction logs of electronic money transfers.There is a reason why governments don't want large cash transactions. It enables illegal sales, tax evasion and money laundering. Dude/ette, if you think the police can track a single 20€ bill that precisely, they wouldn't have a problem seeing through 500k€ cash deals when drug money goes legit through real estate. Basically every restaurant and cafe on earth uses cash to do creative accounting.
However, of course, there are particular crimes where money tracking does matter. If you rob a bank or break into an ATM your cash prize comes with strings attached, as those known bills will get flagged. I think the most important implication would be these bills becoming actual evidence instead of an happenstance mysterious cash finding. If a bank scan finds them in circulation again, they may be able to narrow down your location, do statistics with mobile network data and so on, but it's not like every note is tracked by default at every endpoint.
Crime runs on cash. How often have you read about anyone getting caught on cash serials??
Why on earth would any commercial store invest in cash tracking? They only got one point of the cash flow, are you implying they are all connected in some grand conspiracy?? Such stores got an abundance of way more accessible and relevant customer data they could (super illegally) collect, like biometrics, RF device IDs, loyalty programs, ... I also never seen a self checkout store which accepted cash at all.
You are telling a fatalist narrative which only helps the abandonment of cash, especially for small, daily transactions, which matter most for privacy.
Crypto won't happen. Lol.
FAQs
A user may register a bill by entering its serial number, and if someone else has already registered the bill, then the "route" of the bill can be displayed. Some bill tracking sites encourage marking a bill before spending it, whereas others do not. This usually depends on the laws of the country issuing the currency.
Can a serial number be traced? ›
Electronics manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can trace defective products using serial numbers to pinpoint the particular parts that are faulty. Within electronics, it is especially important to keep track of warranty details.
Can ATM withdrawals be traced? ›
Yes, ATM cards with EMV chips can be traced. The chip stores information about the cardholder and the card's transactions, which can be used to trace the card and its transactions.
Does ATM record serial numbers? ›
Not in the US. There are no laws requiring businesses to do so.
Can stolen cash be tracked? ›
Cash Tracker protects Banks and Credit Unions from potential crimes at the cash counter, inside the vault, inside an ATM or ATM cassette, and anywhere else that cash is securely stored. Cash Tracker utilizes proven GNSS/GPS tracking technology to provide extremely reliable and detailed tracking information.
Can money transfers be traced? ›
Scammers can quickly pick up your money at any of the wire transfer company's locations throughout the world. And, it's nearly impossible to identify who picked up the money or track them down.
Do stores track serial numbers? ›
Any returns are typically track through their invoices and receipts.. Even appliances with serial numbers are normally not recorded, as the buyer's responsibility to register their purchase to the manufacturers for product warranty..
What information can I get from a serial number? ›
They are one-of-a-kind codes that match only one product. Usually, serial numbers are made in order and have different information sections. This information can be about where the product was made when it was made, and other data that might be useful during the product's life cycle.
Is a serial number a tracking number? ›
Utilizing a serial number system to track a product's journey allows your team to interrogate a product's composition, shipment details, revision levels and current location, to provide all the information you need to deliver stellar levels of customer support, warranty claims, recalls, etc.
Can ATMs be tracked? ›
Preventative Maintenance: ATM GPS devices allow financial institutions to monitor the status and usage of their ATM machines efficiently. They can track the machines' locations, optimize cash replenishment routes, and ensure that ATMs are functioning properly.
Every ATM has an ATM ID which provides a transaction history of the ATM Machine through Electronic Journal (EJ) Files.
How do banks investigate ATM withdrawals? ›
Investigators gather evidence, which may include transaction records, communication logs, and customer account histories. This phase is crucial in identifying the nature and extent of the fraudulent activity.
Are serial numbers traceable? ›
Serial numbers and lot numbers are tracked using barcode technology and software. With barcoding, lot numbers can be recognized when received, shipped or both, enabling products to be tracked & traced throughout the supply chain.
How are cash serial numbers tracked? ›
If a criminal has been caught with stolen banknotes, the serial numbers will be checked by looking at a list that has been compiled of all the serial numbers of marked bills, making it easier for law enforcement to crack down on any illicit activities.
Can I trace my ATM? ›
If you have lost your debit card, unfortunately, you cannot track the debit card status. There is no way through which any bank or police can help you track a stolen or lost debit card. However, you can always take the necessary steps to protect your card.
Can you look up money by serial number? ›
If you think you might have possession of a bill that's worth more than its face value, you can go online to look up the serial number.
Can you track a serial number on a money order? ›
Money orders can be tracked using the receipt and details provided at the time of purchase. Tracking methods vary by issuer, but typically involve using a tracking or serial number. If the receipt is lost, a request can be filed with the money order issuer, but fees may apply.
Can fake money be detected? ›
Examine the serial numbers.
Make sure that the serial numbers on a bill match, and look at them carefully. Fake bills may have serial numbers that are not evenly spaced or that are not perfectly aligned in a row. If you received multiple suspicious bills, see if the serial numbers are the same on both bills.
How can someone track money? ›
One of the most convenient ways to track your money is through your bank's online banking service. Once you've completed a transfer, you can log in to your account to view the transaction status. Most banks provide real-time updates on the transfer status, such as 'processing,' 'pending,' or 'completed.
