Police remind businesses to check cash after counterfeit $100 bills found in Moose Jaw

The Moose Jaw Police Service is urging businesses and residents to take a careful look at any cash they’re handed after fake $100 bills turned up in the city this month.

According to police, officers got a report about two counterfeit bills found at a local business on Wednesday. The bills had “noticeable defects” that allowed officers to quickly determine they were fake, police said, and officers are investigating their origin.

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Counterfeit $100s have been found in other police jurisdictions as well, the police force noted.

Anyone who discovered counterfeit currency was advised to report it to their local police force.

Police asked businesses and the public to check bills carefully to ensure they are authentic. (Moose Jaw Police Service/Submitted)

If a retailer or individual suspects a note is counterfeit, the police force advised them to assess the situation to ensure they are not at risk, then take the following steps:

• Politely refuse the note;
• ask for another note (and check that one as well);
• advise the person to check the note with local police;
• inform the local police service of a potential attempt to pass counterfeit cash; and
• remember that the person in possession of the fake money could also be an innocent victim who has not realized that the note is suspicious.

It’s important that police are informed about possible counterfeiting, the Moose Jaw Police Service noted. Police also emphasized that when police are asked to check currency, any real notes are returned.

The police force pointed the public to information shared by the Bank of Canada on current and previous bank notes.