Check your wallets - counterfeit cash is circulating in Prince George.
The local RCMP detachment has issued an advisory to retailers and other businesses who take cash transactions to pay extra attention to what people are handing them after a significant increase in reports of fake Canadian currency, particularly $20 and $50 bills.
Where we would typically see one to two reports of counterfeit bills each month in Prince George, since Dec. 1 we have received 17 reports, so that’s quite a spike in counterfeit bills going around the city," states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the local RCMP detachment.
Police say some of the bills appear to be imitation money that could be used, for example, in classrooms, while others were made with photocopiers.
Using fake currency is illegal.
Workers who suspect a counterfeit bill is being offered as payment are advised to assess the situation to ensure that they are not at risk.
Then, police say, do this:
- Politely refuse the bill and explain that you suspect that it may be counterfeit
- Ask for another bill,and check it, too
- Advise the person to have the bill looked at by police
- Inform police of a possible attempt to pass suspected counterfeit money.
- Be courteous. Remember that the person in possession of the bill may not realize it's fake, say police.
For more information on how to detect counterfeit currency and what to do if you have any, visit the Bank of Canada’s website at Counterfeit prevention - Bank of Canada.
