Crime Tips & Prevention

COUNTERFEIT MONEY

Some of the ill-effects that counterfeit money has on society are a reduction in the value of real money, an increase in prices (inflation) due to more money getting circulated in the economy, an unauthorized artificial increase in the money supply, a decrease in the acceptability of paper money, and losses, because companies are not reimbursed for counterfeits.

How to Detect Counterfeit Money:

Look at the money you receive. Compare a suspect note with a genuine note of the same denomination and series, paying attention to the quality of printing and paper characteristics. Look for differences, not similarities.

Portrait: The genuine portrait appears lifelike and stands out distinctly from the background. The counterfeit portrait is usually lifeless and flat. Details merge into the background, which is often too dark or mottled.

Federal Reserve and Treasury Seals: On a genuine bill, the saw-tooth points of the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals are clear, distinct, and sharp. The counterfeit seals may have uneven, blunt, or broken saw-tooth points.

Border: The fine lines in the border of a genuine bill are clear and unbroken. On the counterfeit, the lines in the outer margin and scroll work may be blurred and indistinct.

Serial Numbers Genuine: serial numbers have a distinctive style and are evenly spaced. The serial numbers are printed in the same ink color as the Treasury Seal. On a counterfeit, the serial numbers may differ in color or shade of ink from the Treasury seal. The numbers may not be uniformly spaced or aligned.

Paper Genuine: currency paper has tiny red and blue fibers embedded throughout. Often counterfeiters try to simulate these fibers by printing tiny red and blue lines on their paper. Close inspection reveals, however, that on the counterfeit note the lines are printed on the surface, not embedded in the paper. It is illegal to reproduce the distinctive paper used in the manufacturing of United States currency.

For more information on how to detect counterfeit money got to:

www.secretservice.gov/investigation/

• Lock your door, even when you intend to return home shortly or even if you are just going down the hall. It takes a thief ten seconds or less to enter an open room and steal your property.
   
• Lock or secure doors and windows when you are alone or asleep.
   
• Keep emergency numbers by your phone.
   
• Do not leave messages on your door indicating that you are away and when you will return.
   
• Do not let strangers enter your home.
   
• Do not prop open outer doors.
   
• If someone asks to use your phone for an emergency call, offer to telephone for them instead of allowing them access.
   
• Do not put your address on your key ring.
   
• Know your neighbors.
   
• Do not leave keys in hiding places. Thieves will find them. Carry your keys or make sure that anyone who truly needs them has their own copy.
   
• Call 911 to report suspicious persons or activity in or around your neighborhood.
   
• Open a savings or checking account instead of keeping money in your room.
   
• Keep automatic teller machine cards in a safe place, keep your PIN number secret. When possible, only use ATMs during the day.
   
• Instead of carrying large sums of cash use a charge card. Some charge cards insure property purchased with those cards against loss, theft or damage.
   
• If you find yourself in immediate danger, call 911; try to stay calm and get away at the first opportunity.

Additional Information
Sheriff Herrig
Undersheriff Chartier