CARTERVILLE – Carterville Police are warning businesses about counterfeit currency circulating within the community.
Police say counterfeit $100 bills, and possibly other denominations, are being created using bleached or “washed out” $1 bills. These counterfeit bills have been detected in circulation, posing a significant risk to businesses in our area.
What makes these counterfeit bills particularly concerning is that they may pass the standard marker test for authenticity. However, upon depositing these bills at banks, they are identified as counterfeit through bank verification machines.
Several instances of counterfeit bills have been reported by First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust and Bank of Herrin, Carterville branches.
In light of this, police urge all businesses to remain vigilant when accepting cash payments. Police recommend implementing additional security measures.
Police have highlighted some key indicators observed in the counterfeit $100 bills. While these indicators are not all of them, they can serve as useful points of reference in detecting counterfeit currency.
1) Faded Background: Counterfeit bills may feature a faded $1 bill background, indicating that the original denomination has been bleached or washed out.
2) Duplicated Numbers: In some instances, numbers on the bills may be duplicated, which is a clear red flag for counterfeit currency.
3) Poor Coloring: The number “100” in the bottom right corner may have been poorly colored in with a metallic gel pen, often not matching the authentic shade of green.
4) Dark Print: Counterfeit bills may exhibit an overall print that appears slightly darker than genuine currency.
5) Unusual Feel: Counterfeit bills may feel different from authentic currency, often having a stiffness and a washed paper currency feel due to being washed and dried flat.
6) Fibers: This feature is the use of colored fibers embedded within the paper. These fibers are often visible when you closely examine the bill, and they typically come in various colors, including red and blue.
7) Watermark: Hold the note to light to see a faint image to the right of the portrait on denominations $5 and higher. The bills police have seen have been on the $1.
These indicators are meant to assist you and your staff in identifying potential counterfeit bills. It’s important to remain vigilant when handling cash transactions and to implement additional security measures to safeguard your business.
It is crucial to protect your business from financial losses associated with unknowingly accepting counterfeit currency. By staying informed and proactive, we can collectively minimize the impact of counterfeit activity in our community.
Please share this information with your staff and other business owners to ensure awareness. If you have any concerns or suspect counterfeit activity, please contact the Carterville Police Department immediately.