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Business warns of couterfeit bills in Old Market

Posted at 5:23 PM, Jun 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-21 08:08:46-04

With many visitors and baseball fans in town cash is king but a downtown business is warning others about funny money they recently received.

The Security Coordinator for Cubby's Convenience Stores, Billy Mendez, says on Saturday night they confiscated a fake $20 bill at their Old Market location.  They haven't been able to identify the person because hundreds of people came into the store at that time, and the customer may have received it elsewhere.

Mendez says the bill looks very similar to the real thing but when a clerk put hand sanitizer on and handled it when counting cash the ink rubbed off.

"So we want the other businesses in the area to be aware that there is money being passed back and forth through here especially with the college world series being here and the extra people being here.  They may be receiving a counterfeit bill without even knowing it," Mendez explained.

OPD says they haven't received any reports of counterfeit money in the old market recently, but businesses should still be vigilant especially when someone makes a small purchase with large bills.

The U.S. Secret Service says they receive counterfeit bills from Omaha area banks counting cash everyday and the CWS would attract criminals using funny money.

Authorities say to figure out if a bill is real or not check for the water marks, the security band, and the color changing ink on the bottom number.  Businesses a can also use the counterfeit detector pen.  

If you suspect you've received counterfeit money contact police.

With many visitors and baseball fans in town cash is king but a downtown business is warning others about funny money they recently received.

The Security Coordinator for Cubby's Convenience Stores, Billy Mendez, says on Saturday night they confiscated a fake $20 bill at their Old Market location.  They haven't been able to identify the person because hundreds of people came into the store at that time, and the customer may have received it elsewhere.

Mendez says the bill looks very similar to the real thing but when a clerk put hand sanitizer on and handled it when counting cash the ink rubbed off.

"So we want the other businesses in the area to be aware that there is money being passed back and forth through here especially with the college world series being here and the extra people being here.  They may be receiving a counterfeit bill without even knowing it," Mendez explained.

OPD says they haven't received any reports of counterfeit money in the old market recently, but businesses should still be vigilant especially when someone makes a small purchase with large bills.

The U.S. Secret Service says they receive counterfeit bills from Omaha area banks counting cash everyday and the CWS would attract criminals using funny money.

Authorities say to figure out if a bill is real or not check for the water marks, the security band, and the color changing ink on the bottom number.  Businesses a can also use the counterfeit detector pen. 

If you suspect you've received counterfeit money contact police.