(Canadian currency image via Shutterstock)
Winnipeg police are alerting the public and businesses to an increase in counterfeit Canadian currency being passed around.
Counterfeit replicas of the newer polymer series $20 and $100 denominations are the most common police have been seeing.
Police say the imitation notes appears to have a recognizable “?arts and crafts”? quality to them. A note might have a holographic stripe but closer scrutiny will reveal that it is affixed to the note with clear tape. The notes are also reported to have an ?unauthentic? feel.
Merchants and consumers are reminded to check their notes and that they are under no obligation to accept notes they believe are counterfeit.
If a suspected counterfeit note is tendered to you or your staff:
- Inspect it closely and compare it to a known authentic bill if possible.
- If safe to do so, retain the bill and ask the customer for another form of payment. As a consumer, decline the note and request another form of change.
- Record a description of the suspect and if appropriate, any vehicle associated to them.
- Contact police in a timely manner and make a report.
