Over the past couple of months, detectives in the EPS Economic Crime Section have seen an increase in the number of counterfeit $20 bills circulating around Edmonton.
In many instances, suspects are making the biggest bang of their bogus bucks by using the counterfeit to make a relatively small purchase, ensuring he or she gets the most amount of genuine money as change.
“We have received about 50 of these counterfeit bills over the summer,” says Detective Dennis Tetreault, Counterfeit Currency Coordinator, adding that the fakes are primarily being passed at small retail businesses and fast food outlets around the city. “Of significant concern is that these notes are of poor quality, with some lacking even the most visible security feature of genuine notes: the holographic stripe on the left side of the bill.”
While some retailers are refusing to take $50 and $100 bank notes due to counterfeiting concerns, the $20 bank note remains the one most predominantly forged. Refusing to take larger bills could signal that a retailer doesn’t check the security features on smaller notes either, making them a target for fake $10s and $20s.
Employees and the public are reminded to check the security features on all bank notes they receive. The security features of the latest series of Canadian bank notes issued are the same for all denominations. It is always a good practice to check more than one security feature and when in doubt compare a questioned note to a real one, as shown below.
| Counterfeit |
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| Real |
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Click on images to enlarge.)
Notable differences between the two bills shown above
- The counterfeit note lacks detail (fine line printing) and raised ink called “intaglio”
- The counterfeit is missing the holographic stripe on the left side [red ellipse]
- When holding the two notes up to a light source (backlit) the counterfeit:
- Is missing the watermark portrait and small number [red rectangle]
- Has a see through number (puzzle feature) that does not align perfectly [pink rectangle]
- Has a series of dashes that should be solid when held up to a light [blue rectangle]
“Retailers need to understand that it’s a criminal offense to knowingly possess counterfeit currency,” Tetreault explains. “Once someone becomes aware they are in possession of a counterfeit bill, it must be turned over to the police.”
The security features of all Canadian bank notes can be located at http://www.bank-banque-canada.ca/en/banknotes/counterfeit/security_features.html
Employers should become familiar with the security features on Canadian currency and instruct their staff on what to look for when handling cash. Employers are encouraged to contact police if they receive questionable bills by bringing the bank note to a local police station.