Above: Would you know what to look for to verify a real $100 bill? (images cropped from The Federal Reserve’s US Currency Education Program website)
Southborough Police issued an alert yesterday afternoon. It warned businesses that “counterfeit bill reports are on the rise” and shares surveillance photos from an incident in town. Anyone with information on the suspects/incident should contact the SPD:
On Friday May 1st, 2020, at approx. 7 pm, officers responded to Walgreens on Turnpike Road to investigate a report of counterfeit money being used for purchases at the business. After reviewing surveillance video and speaking to staff, it was determined that four males wearing medical masks, entered the store and used counterfeit $100 bills and a counterfeit $50 bill to purchase pre-paid visa gift cards. Attached is surveillance footage of the involved suspects. If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact Lt. Ryan Newell or Det. Keith Nichols at (508) 485-2121.
We want to advise the business community that these counterfeit bill reports are on the rise, and to please be extra cautious when accepting large bills. Thank you.
Here are the surveillance photos that were posted to Facebook:
The Federal Reserve’s info on counterfeits states:
The best way to determine whether a note is genuine is to rely on the security features, such as the watermark and security thread. Counterfeit detection pens are not always accurate and may give you false results. To learn about these and other security features in genuine Federal Reserve notes, visit the U.S. Currency Education Program website.
It is important to know what the security features are in genuine currency, because if you end up with a counterfeit note, you will lose that money. A counterfeit note cannot be exchanged for a genuine one, and it is illegal to knowingly pass counterfeit currency.
If you live in the United States and you think you’ve received a counterfeit note, immediately notify the local police. Try to remember the physical characteristics of the person who passed the suspect counterfeit, and if possible write down the person’s license plate number and vehicle description. Store the suspect counterfeit apart from genuine currency and release it as soon as possible to law enforcement authorities.
You can find info on the design and security features of real bills here.
They bought pre-paid gift cards…… OMG, the gang that can’t shoot straight is in town.