RCMP warn of US funny money
By Kyra Hoggan
Police are warning local retailers to think twice before accepting U.S. $50-bills.
Castlegar RCMP Cpl. Dan Pollock said there have been four separate instances (two in Castlegar and two in Grand Forks), in which the counterfeit bills were passed, and for goods ranging, “from renovation supplies, to pizza to general merchandise.”
Pollock said three of the instances netted descriptions of what appear to be the same suspect: a white male, about five-foot-ten, of average weight and with short brown hair.
But even if it’s someone else handing you the bill, Pollock advises caution.
“If you go on the Internet, to secretservice.gov, you can find out about the security devices (embedded in U.S. currency),” he said, adding $50 bills are worth enough to justify counterfeiting efforts, but small enough to be accepted by the many savvy retailers who no longer accept $100 bills.
He also said he suspects the U.S. bills are being used here because they are less familiar to Canadian employees, and thus less likely to be detected.
Anyone with more information is encouraged to call the Castlegar detachment at 250-365-7721.
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