Staff Writer

Oct. 26, 2000 10 PM

A local problem can be curbed with a bit of close attention.

Recently, the Troy Police Department has received reports of counterfeit money being passed at local businesses.

Troy Police Chief Anthony Everage said Wal-Mart reported two bills being passed on Oct. 24 and the Bee Line on North Three Notch Street reported another incident on Oct. 25. The denomination on the counterfeit bills was $100.

All three incidents are being investigated by the TPD. Because the crime involved counterfeit money, the United States Secret Service is also notified.

Everage advised business owners, their employees and the general public should be on the lookout for suspicious bills and report them to the Troy Police Department.

Although Troy has seen counterfeit bills passed this week, a watchful eye can prevent losses to businesses.

The United States Treasury has numerous security measures to prevent the reproduction of currency, many of which can be seen with the naked eye.

A telltale sign a bill is counterfeit is the feel of the paper on which it is printed. Currency is made from a paper that has red and blue fibers embedded throughout the paper and has a different texture than paper that can be purchased in a store.

The quality of print, such as extra spaces, is another red flag the bill is fake.

Currency also has a security thread that can be seen when the bill is held up to a bright light. That strip has the denomination printed on it.

Sgt. Benny Scarbrough, public information officer for the TPD, said the public has a role in preventing the passing of any counterfeit money.

He said individuals should carefully examine currency with large denominations. Any suspect bill should be compared to a genuine note, but the individual should look for differences, not similarities in the bills.

Some other things to examine are the border area and serial numbers since counterfeiters usually produce multiple bills with the same serial number.

Newer bills also have a watermark that can be seen a real bill, which has a distinct size.

Anyone who suspects a bill to be counterfeit, should contact the police department at 566-0500.