Rash of counterfeit bills hits DeFuniak Springs

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS – Police have recently received numerous reports of counterfeit currency, most of which are $20 bills that all have the same serial number.

The counterfeit bills “are good copies” but lack security features such as watermarks, according to a DeFuniak Springs Police news release. Business and citizens are asked to double-check their bills for a watermark, a security thread and color-shifting ink on the number in the lower right corner of the bill.

The easiest way to check currency is with a counterfeit bill detector pen, which can be purchased at an office supply store, the release said. If a bill is fake, the pen will yield a black mark, while a yellow mark will show up on genuine currency.

People who believe they received a counterfeit bills or who have information on counterfeiters are asked to call police at 892-8513.

More information about bill security features and detecting counterfeits can be found at http://www.secretservice.gov/money_detect.shtml