Counterfeit Bills Used at Store in Sterling: Police

STERLING, VA — Two customers used counterfeit money to purchase items from a store Wednesday afternoon in the 21800 block of Towncenter Plaza but only one got away with it, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

After an unknown suspect used phony money to but items, a second person tried the same but the clerk became suspicious and questioned the man about the bill. The man then fled the store.

Such use of counterfeit cash has been attempted often in Northern Virginia the past several months. Prince William County Police released a tip sheet to avoid being victimized:

• Train your employees on how to spot a fake bill. There are good tips on the secret service website that include looking for the watermark by holding the bill up to the light. There is a denomination line (on one or the other side) of legitimate U.S. Currency. The line can be seen on $5 bills and up.
• Keep counterfeit detection pens and /or UV light detection devices at all points of sale. You can get these at most Office Supply businesses.
• Be especially wary of new bills and larger bills provided for a relatively small purchase.
• If you detect a fake or counterfeit bill, do not try to apprehend the suspect. Refuse the bill and notify police assoon as possible.
• Do not pass on a known fake or counterfeit bill you have received to another person or business. THIS IS A CRIME.
• Be sure to inspect bills thoroughly. Some bills may appear genuine but have corners from higher denominations posted on them. These WILL NOT BE detected by the counterfeit detector because the bill has characteristics of real currency.
• Be aware that some counterfeiters tend to hit one area very hard for a week or so, and then they move on. Keep in contact with police and businesses near your store to let them know about unusual activity such as counterfeiting.
• Post a sign prominently in your place of business warning criminals that you employ counterfeit detection devices.

Image via Patch file