A method for identifying suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes paid into an automatic teller machine, wherein banknotes to be paid in are checked for authenticity on the basis of data from a sensor device. The identification is achieved by linking data from the sensor device concerning the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes to an identity of a payer. The method also includes storing the data concerning the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes and the identity of the payer, and generating checking data for the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes by means of the sensor device or a sensor device similar to the sensor device. The checking data are generated by the sensor device for one or more possible positions of the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes, comparing the checking data with the stored data concerning the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes and determining the data of the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknote which has the closest agreement with the respective checking data. The method further includes identifying the respective suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknote by means of the identity of the payer, which is linked to the data concerning the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknote with the closest agreement.