Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
(SALEM) - If you work in a local business and a customer pays with a $100 bill, take the time to check the currency.
Stephanie Taylor Ferriell, of the Leader Democrate, reports that is what Detective Scott Ratts of the Salem Police Department is urging in response to several counterfeit 100s being passed within the past week.
Ratts said many businesses have special pens with which to check bills. "Those will identify a counterfeit immediately," he said. "If they don't have a pen and have any doubts, don't take the hundred and call us."
Ratts said the department was notified of the problem last week. He said it continued throughout the weekend and another case was reported Monday morning.
"The persons responsible have been targeting gas stations and fast food restaurants during their busy times with the hopes that the cashier is too busy to check the bills," he said.
He said in one case, the customer with the fake money honestly didn't know it. "That tells me they're in circulation," Ratts said.
He said the Secret Service has been contacted. Counterfeiting is a federal offense.
For more information, or to report a suspected counterfeit bill, call 883-5100.
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