The Caraquet RCMP is urging business owners to be vigilant after receiving recent reports of counterfeit Canadian currency currently being circulated in the community.
Police have recently received several reports from local businesses that counterfeit Canadian $20 bills have been used to purchase goods and services. The fake money was only noticed following the transaction.
Many of the bills have identifiable markings indicating they are fake:
- Some are of poor quality
- Different material is used
- The bills have differences in size and shape
- Several of the bills have five black, double bars on both sides of the bill.
'In this case, we noticed that the paint was peeling off a $20 bill,' said Sergeant Charles Dubois from the Caraquet RCMP. 'If you have counterfeit bills, please report to police.'
It is an offence to recirculate a counterfeit bill. If you come into contact with what you believe is counterfeit currency, report it to police. For more information on detecting counterfeit bills, visit the following links:
- Counterfeit prevention (Bank of Canada)
- Bank notes: Resources for retailers (Bank of Canada)
Anyone with information that could help the investigation into counterfeit bills in the Caraquet area is asked to contact the Caraquet RCMP at 506-726-5222. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.crimenb.ca.
Investigation is ongoing.