How to tell if your cash is counterfeit

Nov 10, 2018 | 1:00 PM

Over the past week, questions have come up in the Battlefords about counterfeit Canadian currency.

On more than one instance, fake bills in the forms of $50 and $100 denominations have popped up around the city, leading to one arrest. Although the new banknotes the government came out with a few years ago may seem to be counterfeit-proof, some fake notes may go through undetected.

The Bank of Canada takes counterfeiting very seriously, and say on their website that they continuously research and develop new notes with innovative security features that are hard to counterfeit. The Bank of Canada said the bills are easy to check to see if they are authentic.

Security features on the new bills include the texture of the note, raised ink, colour shifting, 3D printing, transparency on the notes, metallic symbols and clear windows on the bill, the Bank of Canada says. 

In terms of a business standpoint, they do have the authorization to refuse the note at any time and explain that they suspect that it may be counterfeit. They are then subject to inform their local detachment of the possible attempt to pass suspected counterfeit money.

The Bank of Canada says to not be offended if a cashier carefully examines the bills that are given to them. Doing this routinely allows the cashiers to intercept the counterfeits and keep them out of their till, as well as your pocket.

The police also urge residents to bring in their notes if they believe that it’s a counterfeit. The local police will check it, and if it’s real, it will be returned to you.

If you do have any information on this or any other crime, contact the Battlefords RCMP detachment or Crimestoppers.

 

brady.lang@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @BradyLangCJNB