FORT St. James RCMP are warning business owners to be vigilant after three incidents since June of suspected counterfeit Canadian $50 bills being circulated at local businesses.
The suspected counterfeit bills have the serial number LGQ03229158, and are either taped together or glued together in the security strip feature of the bill.
The RCMP said that it is important to note that the security strip will belong to a $5.
Police are reminding local merchants and their employees to examine and verify any currency that is given to them and to report any suspicious bills to their local RCMP.
If you suspect that you’re being offered a counterfeit note, assess the situation to ensure that you are not at risk. Then, do the following:
- Politely refuse the note and explain that you suspect that it may be counterfeit.
- Ask for another note (and check it too).
- Advise the person to check the note with the local police.
- Inform your local police of a possible attempt to pass suspected counterfeit money.
- Be courteous. Remember that the person in possession of the bill could be an innocent victim who does not realize that the note is suspicious.
If anyone has any information that may help with this investigation, contact Fort St. James RMCP.
For more information on detecting counterfeit bills and what to do if you receive one, visit the Bank of Canada’s webpage about counterfeit prevention.