1. A method for retracing a deposited counterfeit banknote, comprising: storing characteristic data of deposited banknotes in a control device together with data of a depositor of said banknotes; transferring said deposited banknotes to a central testing device; recognizing a banknote of said deposited banknotes as a counterfeit banknote in said central testing device; transferring characteristic data of the counterfeit banknote from the central testing device to the control device; and identifying the depositor of the counterfeit banknote in the control device by comparing the stored characteristic data with the transferred characteristic data of said counterfeit banknote.