In an attempt to stop the seemingly endless demands of their children, generations of parents have said ‘Money doesn’t grow on trees.?
Apparently, someone who did not get the message is trying to pass counterfeit twenty dollar bills in the Clarkston area.
In recent weeks, many local fast food restaurants reported receiving fake money. Some of the bills were used successfully, while employees caught others causing the culprits to speed away from drive-through windows or make a dash for the door.
Detective Lonnie Mullins of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department said the persons responsible copied two or three authentic twenties in order to produce the counterfeit currency.
‘The same people are making them. If you look at these twenties quickly they look and feel real, but they’re actually two-sided,? said Mullins.
Mullins advised local businesses to use a special pen, common in the retail industry, which indicates through colors whether paper currency is real or not.
‘For the private citizen, look very close at it and you’ll be able to tell. One bill was even split, but unless you look you won’t see it,? said Mullins.
Anyone who suspects they have received counterfeit currency should contact police and try to avoid passing on the money.
Mullins stated that the process of proving you did not make the counterfeit money after attempting to pass it on would not be worth the money lost by turning in the counterfeit cash.
According to Mullins, passing counterfeit currency is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a $2,500 fine.
The United States Secret Service Web site suggests comparing a suspect note with a genuine note of the same denomination and series, and paying close attention to the quality of printing and paper characteristics. The Web site advises looking for differences rather than similarities.