Don’t get fooled by counterfeit bills
You’ve seen it in music videos, where rappers and singers “make it rain” while large sums of cash rain down on the crowd, but they don’t use real money- they use fake money specially made for videos and movies. Now everyday people like me and you, can purchase the movie style cash online for a price cheaper than the Hollywood big-shots.
Unfortunately, thieves see this as an opportunity to use the fake money at local businesses, and through person to person transactions on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
Some of the counterfeit bills spotted in Idaho Falls are clearly marked “For Motion Picture Use Only,” and that does not stop criminals from trying to pass them off.
The Idaho Falls Police Department has seen many of these fake bills come through. They advise the public and retailers to:
-Check the bills with a counterfeit pen
-Look for unusual markings
-Check the texture of the bill
-Check the size of the bill
Idaho Falls Police Detective, Sage Albright, says he’s seen it all, “We pretty much see everything; big bills, small bills, hundreds, twenty’s, ten’s, five’s, and they are not just singling out $100 dollar bills- which is what a lot of people think of when they think of counterfeit.”
If you are buying something from a person online, be safe and make sure you locate a well lit, secure area that has cameras- such as the police station. Police say It’s better to be safe than to get scammed.
Idaho Falls Police Detective Albright says,“Anyone who is a legitimate buyer isn’t going to have a problem with that. It’s only going to be people who are sketchy or up to no good.” Warning buyers to not fall for the “I don’t want to give you the money, I don’t want to show you the money first- why don’t you show me the product first.” Albright urges the public to “protect yourself, and if you have a worth-while product- it’s going to sell either way.”
“Anyone who is a legitimate buyer isn’t going to have a problem with that. It’s only going to be people who are sketchy or up to no good who are going to be like I don’t want to give you the money, I don’t want to show you the money first- why don’t you show me the product first. Don’t get sucked into those kinds of things. Really protect yourself and if you have a worth-while product- it’s going to sell either way.”
