Police urge vigilance after uptick in counterfeit bills incidents

FUNNY MONEY: The bill above, not connected with any of the recent incidents, looks pretty legit ... except where it reads, 'For Motion Picture Use Only' (Courtesy image)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police have reported three incidents of businesses taking in counterfeit bills this week, two of which occurred at the Cumberland Farms on Highland Street in East Rochester. The third occurred at the Dunkin' Donuts at the Washington Street Shell.

Rochester Police on Friday noted they have taken close to a dozen such reports over the past two months involving varying denominations.

Two of the three incidents this week involved $20s.

Police are urging businesses to be vigilant when taking cash and to report all such incidents to police immediately.

To help in identifying counterfeit bills:

• Feel the paper. The paper should feel a little rough and not perfectly smooth
• Tilt the bill at different angles to look at the different colors on the bill as well as the security features
• Check bill with a light. Look at security features such as watermarks and security threads
• Use a counterfeit detection device, uv light or pen
• Look over the words on the bill. Some counterfeit bills have "Motion Picture Only," "Replica," "Copy or foreign symbols or writing or other clear indications the bill is not real.
• Check and compare serial numbers if receiving multiple bills to make sure they do not match
• Be cautious of any large bill being passed for an inexpensive item.
• Remember, counterfeit bills can come in any denomination, not just large bills.