Warning! Counterfeit Currency Alert!
he Wauconda Police Department is investigating the passing of a counterfeit US Currency bill wherein the offender(s) is passing phony $50 and $100 bills to local merchants. The counterfeit bills have recently surfaced in towns from Rockford Illinois to Lake County.
COUNTEFEIT METHOD
The offender is "washing" a $1 or $5 bill that is overlaid with counterfeit wording in every appropriate location on the bill that would bear a denomination (e.g. wording or numbers). The bills pass the "verifier-pen test". Some have passed through the denomination counters at local banks without alerting the teller of the counterfeit markings.
COUNTERFEIT DETECTION:
- The counterfeit currency is blurred - legitimate bills are clear and have contrast.
- The vertical denomination - verification banner is in tact and will state the denomination of the bill. Merchants and police officers should examine the back of the currency and look for the vertical denomination - verification banner (see below for location) to verify the denomination.
MERCHANT ACTIONS:
Contact your local police agency and provide a description of the suspect and any vehicle information. Merchants, rather than a merchant bank, will most likely be responsible for the loss if the bill is taken in exchange for merchandise.
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