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Funny Money Popping Up at Area Businesses, Know What to Look For When Accepting Cash

Press Release from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office: On 09-13-2016, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of the use of counterfeit $100 bills at a business in Macon County. Deputies responded to the business and were able to verify the $100 bills were counterfeit.

Other businesses in Macon County have reported similar incidents.

It is believed the suspects are bleaching $1 bills and reprinting $100 bills with common high quality color printers. Since the paper is actually United States Treasury paper, the common “marker test” used by most retailers, will not identify the $100 bills as counterfeit. Since the ink is printed on the treasury paper with a consumer grade printer the ink will smudge or wipe off with a damp rag.

There is also ink testing markers available through local office supply retailers or online retailers. All the reported counterfeit bills display the same serial number of G01670205A and show a print year of 1981.

The Sheriff’s Office has contacted other law enforcement agencies in Macon and surrounding counties. Other agencies are reporting the use of counterfeit $5, $10, and $50 within the past year.

According to information released by the U.S. Secret Service:

If you suspect a counterfeit note or have information about counterfeiting activity, please report it immediately to the U.S. Secret Service, or to your local police.

Security Features – visit USCurrency.gov

For your personal safety. . . PLEASE:

  1. Do not put yourself in danger.
  2. Do not return the bill to the passer.
  3. Delay the passer with some excuse, if possible.
  4. Observe the passer’s description – and their companions’ descriptions – and write down their vehicle license plate numbers if you can.
  5. Contact your local police department OR call your local U.S. Secret Service Office.
  6. Write your initials and date in the white border area of the suspected counterfeit note.
  7. DO NOT handle the counterfeit note. Place it inside a protective cover, a plastic bag, or envelope to protect it until you place it in the hands of an IDENTIFIED Secret Service Agent.
  8. Surrender the note or coin ONLY to a properly identified police officer or a Secret Service Special Agent, or mail it to your nearest U.S. Secret Service field office.

Please Note: There is no financial remuneration for the return of the counterfeit bill, but it is doing the “right thing” to help combat counterfeiting.