WASHINGTON – A rash of counterfeit cash is showing up at Loudoun County businesses.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office says several people have tried to make small purchases with fake $20, $50, and $100 bills in order to get back a lot of change in real currency.
The sheriff’s office says the fake bills will not look as crisp as real ones.
Authorities are asking business employees to take a close look at cash coming in and focus on the detail of the portrait, the seals, and whether the the serial numbers are evenly spaced.
Some tips to spot a fake bill:
- Mark the bill with a counterfeit bill detector pen
- Pay attention to the quality of the printing and characteristics of the paper (details on real bills are typically clear and sharp)
- Review all parts of the bill to include the portrait, seals, border and serial numbers
- Genuine currency paper has tiny red and blue fibers embedded throughout
