Counterfeit currency showing up at many Cedar Rapids businesses

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Police Department said they are seeing a rash of bogus money being used in area businesses.

Greg Buelow, the city's public safety spokesman, said over the last four days police have taken almost 20 reports of counterfeit bills being passed at businesses in the city. Police said the bills have been predominantly $20 and $100 bills, but $2 and $50 notes have also been used.

Buelow said in many of the incidents, the fake bills have been 'easily identified” as fake. Police are reminding businesses and citizens to take a closer look at the cash in an effort to reduce instances of counterfeit money being used.

Real money will have red and blue fibers embedded throughout the bill, as well as a watermark that is visible when the money is held up to the light. Police said counterfeit money can sometimes feel different from real cash.

Anyone who believes they have been handed a counterfeit bill are asked to report it to the police department immediately and follow tips from the Secret Service:

- Do not put yourself in danger.

- Do not return the bill to the suspect.

- Delay the suspect with an excuse, if possible.

- Observe and write down the suspect's description, as well as their companions'.

The public is also advised to not handle the counterfeit note. Instead, police said the best course of action is to put it in a protective cover, plastic bag or envelope until it can be turned over to a property identified police officer.