The invention relates to a method for tracing bank notes, wherein bank notes are inserted into an automated teller machine having a deposit function and are checked for authenticity, wherein a serial number of the bank note is detected and is stored as text together with transaction data. In addition, a serial number image of the bank notes is detected which forms an image detail of the bank note in an area of the bank note intended for the serial number, the detected serial number image with the serial number and the transaction data are stored and the serial number images are compared with the forged bank note if the serial number of the forged bank note has not been completely identified and/or if a comparison of the serial number of the forged bank note does not produce an agreement with the at least one stored serial number.