KEARNEY, Neb. — The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents and businesses to carefully inspect large-denomination bills after deputies recently investigated a report involving a fictitious $100 bill that was accepted as genuine U.S. currency.
According to the sheriff’s office, the fake bill closely resembled a real $100 bill at first glance. However, a closer inspection revealed several obvious differences, including pink Chinese characters printed across both the front and back of the bill.
Authorities are reminding businesses and anyone handling cash to take a few extra seconds to verify larger bills before accepting them.
The sheriff’s office recommends checking currency by feeling the paper, noting that genuine U.S. currency has a distinct texture. People should also hold bills up to the light to look for the security thread and watermark and take time to read the bill carefully, as novelty or prop money often includes unusual wording, markings, or symbols that can be overlooked during a busy transaction.
Officials also cautioned against relying solely on counterfeit detection pens, saying the pens have limitations and should only be one part of the verification process.
Anyone who receives a bill they believe may be counterfeit or fictitious is urged not to spend it elsewhere. Instead, they should contact their local law enforcement agency and provide as much information as possible about where and how the bill was received.
The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office says slowing down and taking a closer look can help prevent counterfeit or novelty bills from being passed as legitimate currency.
