Paper money, and even coins, can be damaged in a multitude of ways, washing machine, dryer, pets, rodents, chemicals, fire, etc. When it's damaged we're prone to think it no longer has any value, but that's simply not true.

When you have damaged currency the U.S. Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing will examines and replace verifiable currency at no cost to you. They can't take your word for it of course, but if you submit a claim, and send them what's left of the damaged dollars, they will redeem everything that they can scientifically prove was there in the submitted material. Last year they redeemed over $30 million, but it takes several months to process the claim.

To get further information or make a claim, click here.