CARTERVILLE, Ill. (KFVS) – The Carterville Police Department is warning businesses in the Williamson County area about counterfeit bills circulating in the area.
Investigators said the counterfeit bills were reported from First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust and Bank of Herrin, Carterville branches.
Carterville police said they found that bleached or “washed” $1 bills were used to create counterfeit $100 bills, possibly in other denominations.
This method of creating fake cash is concerning.
Police say counterfeit banknotes cannot be identified as counterfeit until they pass a marker test and pass through a bank's authentication machine.
They urge businesses to remain vigilant and take the following steps to detect fake cash:
- Faded background: Counterfeit bills may have a faded background on the $1 bill, indicating that the original denomination has been bleached or washed away.
- Duplicate numbers: In some cases, banknotes may have duplicate numbers. This is a clear red flag of counterfeit currency.
- Improper coloring: The number “100” in the bottom right corner may have been poorly colored with a metallic gel pen, and often does not match the real green shade.
- Darker Printing: Counterfeit banknotes may have slightly darker printing overall than genuine banknotes.
- Unusual feel: Counterfeit banknotes may have a different feel than real banknotes, and are often washed and laid flat to dry, so they are hard and have the feel of washed banknotes. I am.
- Fibers: This feature uses colored fibers embedded within the paper. These fibers are clearly visible when you look closely at banknotes and usually come in a variety of colors, including red and blue.
- Watermark: When you hold the bill up to the light, a faint image will appear to the right of the portrait on bills of $5 and above. The bills we saw were $1.
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