Law enforcement agencies in the village and township have obtained multiple counterfeit $20 bills and are warning merchants there could be more in the area.
‘These bills are very realistic and have the ‘feel? of legitimate currency,? said Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh. ‘There is writing on the bills to give them an additional sense of legitimacy.?
The LOPD discovered two of the bills last week, and an additional fake $20 was found in the township over the weekend.
Narsh encourages area merchants to use counterfeit detection pens, which he said are available locally at Ed’s Broadway Gifts.
The permanent dark stains left on the bill (pictured) after using the special pens alert the cashier that the currency is fake.
‘Please advise your cash takers to inspect currency, and if a fake bill is discovered, try to get as much information as possible on the passer,? Narsh said.
He added that additional bills may be in circulation in different denominations.
Using fake currency is a federal crime, controlled by the secret service. Narsh said any suspects will also be charged at the local level.
***
Get on the Safety Alert Network
The Lake Orion Police Department offers a Business Community E-mail Alert Program to all interested village businesses.
The system allows LOPD to alert businesses to crime trends, safety issues, road closures and detours and more?
Many businesses were notified of the fake currency through this network.
To be included, e-mail your name and business info (name, address, phone number and e-mail) to LOPDalert@lakeorion.org.