Police are warning Pictou County residents to keep their guard up after a number of counterfeit U.S. $100 bills were recovered.
The bills are realistic forgeries of the latest $100 design, which includes a blue 3D security ribbon and a colour-shifting bell in the inkwell symbol. The only obvious giveaway is the bill’s serial numbers appearing slightly misaligned.
That’s why New Glasgow Regional Police are warning people to take an extra few seconds to look when handling cash.
“Even with the high-tech advanced features it really comes down to the person,” said Const. Ken MacDonald.
This is hardly the first time that police have seized counterfeit bills. Earlier this year, a fake Canadian $100 bill with big red Chinese characters was reported, a forgery that was easily spotted.
However, detecting fake notes can be hard for stores and other businesses who handle large numbers of customers every day.
Many counterfeit dollar bills can be expertly disguised by forgers to look like the real thing.
Both the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Bank of Canada say that real notes will include security features such as holographic images and raised ink, among others.
“The Bank of Canada provides excellent material on how to spot a counterfeit bill,” said MacDonald.
Business owners and employees should politely refuse any customer who tries to hand them a suspected counterfeit note, ask for another and check it over, have them go to the police and report the incident to police themselves. People who hand over fake bills are often just unwitting victims of counterfeiters.
Those who have already been given a suspected fake note should report it to the police. They will return it if it is real. Timely reporting helps law enforcement shut down counterfeiters.
“It takes away from businesses and it produces a lot of victims,” said MacDonald.
Anyone with information about this incident should contact New Glasgow Regional Police at 902-752-1941.
If people wish to remain anonymous, they can also contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or text TIP202 followed by the message to ‘CRIMES’ (274637), or submit tips via Secure Web at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca.
To learn more about spotting counterfeit currency and security features on genuine bills, please visit https://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/counterfeit-prevention or https://www.uscurrency.gov/security/100-security-features-1996-–-2013
In an emergency please call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.
