Island Lake News: Warning! Counterfeit Currency Alert!

Warning! Counterfeit Currency Alert!
================================================================================
Andy Gehron on 12/06/2011 19:28:00


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.  The counterfeit bills have recently surfaced in towns from
Rockford Illinois 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:
*The counterfeit currency is blurred - legitimate bills are clear and have
contrast. 	*The vertical denomination - verification banner is in tact 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 your 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.