# Can the police tell how much money is in your car? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 10, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582 "2006-12-10T17:30:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2006, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/21 "2006-12-10T19:59:28Z")
[QUOTE=Mapache] There seems to be something in US currency that is detectable somehow, because cash sent to Mexico is always stolen, no matter how well it is wrapped. I have received a letter in a large envelope along with a thick wad of papers, with a twenty dollar bill (sent by my sister as a birthday present to my daughter) that was in a smaller sealed envelope with a birthday card. Big envelope was still sealed, little envelope sealed, card intact, and no money. Don’t have any idea how they do it, but they do. Checks also commonly disappear. [/QUOTE] \*\*WHY \*\* would your sister send _cash_ through the mail?!! That isn’t…a wise method to choose. It is far better to send a money order or cash, or just wire the money. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2006, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/22 "2006-12-10T20:02:06Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] It is far better to send a money order or cash, or just wire the money. [/QUOTE] That should read or _CHECK_! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/23 "2006-12-11T00:01:59Z")
Your husband is full of it. That is the biggest secret in law enforcement. There is no way they would have told him that. Oh damn what have I done? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/24 "2006-12-11T00:59:44Z")
> [@](#): > > Here’s a link to one version (with pictures): RFID Tags in New US Notes Explode When You Try to Microwave Them In case anyone is fooled, what probably happened there was that the bills absorbed almost no microwaves, and some ovens, when run with no load, will arc inside. An arc through a stack of twenties would make a nice burn mark just like the ones they saw, clear through the stack. It’s coincidence that the location happened to be Jackson’s eye; the arc could have gone through anywhere. Meanwhile, the inventory-control gate that was triggering on the guy’s wallet probably wasn’t RFID anyway, since one RFID device won’t be mistaken for another, and whatever it was triggering on in his wallet was more likely to be in his credit cards than in his cash. ---
**Author:** ![rocksolid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@rocksolid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocksolid)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/25 "2006-12-11T01:16:17Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] \*\*WHY \*\* would your sister send _cash_ through the mail?!! That isn’t…a wise method to choose. It is far better to send a money order or cash, or just wire the money. [/QUOTE] Yeah, yeah. Everyone knows that but then it actually costs money to ‘swear’ you sent it. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/26 "2006-12-11T01:18:53Z")
It is a persistent rumor, I remember someone complaining about the newer currency then current, say ten years ago, that retailers would be able to tell exactly how much cash one was carrying upon entering the store. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/27 "2006-12-11T02:07:38Z")
[QUOTE=Mapache] There seems to be something in US currency that is detectable somehow, because cash sent to Mexico is always stolen, no matter how well it is wrapped. I have received a letter in a large envelope along with a thick wad of papers, with a twenty dollar bill (sent by my sister as a birthday present to my daughter) that was in a smaller sealed envelope with a birthday card. Big envelope was still sealed, little envelope sealed, card intact, and no money. Don’t have any idea how they do it, but they do. Checks also commonly disappear. [/QUOTE] Tain’t easy but it can be done by carefully applying heat to the glue sealing areas and gently opening the flap. Too much heat will scortch the paper and be a dead give away. Never send currency in the mails. It can and will disappear. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/28 "2006-12-11T02:42:11Z")
Say what you like, but when I carry three hundreds in my pocket, all the garage doors in the neighborhood open. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/29 "2006-12-11T02:58:39Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] Say what you like, but when I carry three hundreds in my pocket, all the garage doors in the neighborhood open. [/QUOTE] He said to the cop investigating the theft of cash from local garages. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/30 "2006-12-11T03:21:04Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] Say what you like, but when I carry three hundreds in my pocket, all the garage doors in the neighborhood open. [/QUOTE] That’s not because of your money, that’s because you’re gay. Jeez, they don’t teach you young’ns anything anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/31 "2006-12-11T14:05:03Z")
[QUOTE=GingerOfTheNorth] That’s not because of your money, that’s because you’re gay. Jeez, they don’t teach you young’ns anything anymore. [/QUOTE] I thought that’s what made all the dogs howl in the neighborhood. Damn I can’t keep up with this stuff. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/32 "2006-12-11T14:43:41Z")
[QUOTE=Cisco] Did he smell of perfume and/or did his collar have lipstick on it? [/QUOTE] That was my first thought. Could be he fell asleep and had to come up with a story real quick. You know how us guys are right after. We want to either sleep or eat. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/33 "2006-12-11T15:04:32Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] Here’s a link to one version (with pictures): [RFID Tags in New US Notes Explode When You Try to Microwave Them](http://www.prisonplanet.com/022904rfidtagsexplode.html) [/QUOTE] It’s now confirmed - every single thing you find on Alex Jones’ web site is false. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/34 "2006-12-11T15:10:20Z")
[QUOTE=justchecking] My husband swears he was pulled over and held for questioning last night because he had too many large bills in the car and the police can tell. [/QUOTE] Ah, so he was a person of interest. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/35 "2006-12-11T15:11:09Z")
[QUOTE=Mapache] There seems to be something in US currency that is detectable somehow, because cash sent to Mexico is always stolen, no matter how well it is wrapped. I have received a letter in a large envelope along with a thick wad of papers, with a twenty dollar bill (sent by my sister as a birthday present to my daughter) that was in a smaller sealed envelope with a birthday card. Big envelope was still sealed, little envelope sealed, card intact, and no money. Don’t have any idea how they do it, but they do. Checks also commonly disappear. [/QUOTE] **Mapache** , back when I collected stamps I became an expert on steam-lifting them off envelopes without damaging anything else. I’m pretty sure I could open a couple envelopes like that; some of the envelopes I’ve gotten from the US wouldn’t even need steam. That package you describe sounds as discreet as the Vegas Strip at midnight. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/36 "2006-12-11T15:18:48Z")
> [@](#): > > That’s not because of your money, that’s because you’re gay. I forgot again! Thanks! (You’d think after 32 years I’d remember that it’s a problem.) ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/37 "2006-12-11T15:51:13Z")
[QUOTE=lieu] Ah, so he was a person of interest. [/QUOTE] Please report to the nearest punishment center. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582/38 "2006-12-11T20:17:54Z")
[QUOTE=justchecking] My husband swears he was pulled over and held for questioning last night because he had too many large bills in the car and the police can tell. He claims the thread you see running thru the bill is decetable from a cop car driving past. I’m pretty sure he’s full of it, but on the off chance he’s right, I thought I’d ask. [/QUOTE] so \*\*\*THAT \*\*\*was his explanation for those missing hours :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-police-tell-how-much-money-is-in-your-car/383582.md?page=1)