OXFORD – The Oxford Police Department is urging people and businesses to double check cash before making and accepting purchases due to a report of fake money in circulation.
According to Police Chief Richard Nolan, there has been a report of “fake movie prop money” being passed around.
Nolan said that one business along North Canal Street has fallen victim and accepted the currency, which he noted closely resembles actual money.
“We first started seeing the motion picture money on March 6,” said Nolan. “One of our convenience stores is the first one that was hit.”
Nolan said, “The bills look really good on the front except for the fact it says on the upper right-hand area of the bills that this is for ‘Motion Picture Use Only.’”
Nolan suggests for businesses to look at each bill, and read what’s on them. “Just take the extra time to make sure the money is valid by using the black marker pen designed for identifying fake money,” said Nolan.
The US Currency website also has tips on how to spot fake money.
“While the prop money looks real, the paper it’s printed on doesn’t,” said Nolan. “Instead, it feels like regular copier/fax paper. It’s also missing the security thread, the 3D security ribbon, color shifting ink and the watermark that real $100 bills have.”
Nolan said that it is not illegal to have prop money, but it is when one presents the bill as real money that a crime has been committed.
According to Nolan, anyone who has fallen victim and accepted fake money should gather a good description of the person and file a report with authorities.
“If the person doesn’t demand the fake money back, secure it by placing it in an envelope or plastic bag and call the police,” Nolan said.
“Hopefully if we get everybody educated and the awareness level goes up, we will stop the passing of these bills,” said Nolan.