Warning! Counterfeit Currency Alert!

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:

1. The counterfeit currency is blurred - legitimate bills are clear and have contrast.
2. 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.