Fake American $100 bills are being passed to unwitting local store clerks, the Langley RCMP warned Friday.
The bills have been turning over the last month, said Cpl. Holly Marks, a spokesperson for the local Mounties.
In recent instances, an unknown woman paid for goods on Aug. 6 and four young people did the same on Aug. 7 and 9, using the fakes.
Police have seized the notes and identified the young people. Their parents have been informed of their actions, said Marks.
Police are asking local merchants and store clerks to learn about the security features of both U.S. and Canadian currency.
If you suspect you have been offered a counterfeit note, the police say you should politely refuse, saying you suspect it is fake, and ask for another bill, which should also be checked.
Tell the person to check the note with the local police, and call the police to tell them of a possible attempt to pass counterfeit currency.
“Be courteous,†said Marks. “Remember that the person in possession of the bill could be an innocent victim who does not realize that the note is suspicious.â€
Information on the security features of U.S. money can be found online here: moneyfactory.com/anticounterfeiting/securityfeatures.html.
Information on Canadian money can be found here: www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/counterfeit-prevention
Store owners who want to get more information, or who would like a safety presentation to their staff, can call the Langley RCMP Business Link Coordinator at 604-532-3210.
This is the second warning about counterfeit bills since August, when the RCMP warned that both the Lower Mainland and Okanagan were seeing an increase in counterfeits. The bills in those incidents were mostly $20 and $50 bills from the 2004 series.