The 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. According to a local bank, counterfeit bills have surfaced from Rockford, Ill., 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:
1. The counterfeit currency is blurred – legitimate bills are clear and have contrast.
2. The vertical denomination – verification banner is intact 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 the 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. Contact your local police department as soon as possible.