Counterfeit cash circulating through Portage Co.

By Brandi Makuski

A large amount of counterfeit money has hit Portage Co., and local law enforcement is asking members of the public to be extra vigilant anytime they handle cash.

Several reports of counterfeit bills being passed at local businesses have come into the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office, as well as police departments in Stevens Point and Plover, in the past few weeks.

Sheriff Mike Lukas said his office has taken reports from Park Ridge, Bancroft, and other rural areas. Plover Assistant Chief Ryan Fox said the village has taken four reports in recent weeks.

Most of the counterfeit bills were passed at local convenience stores, but one instance occurred at McDonald’s, Fox said.

“A lot of times, these counterfeit bills are caught right at the gas station, but if not, the bank catches it,” Fox said on Wednesday.

Lukas said so far, his department has seized fake bills in denominations ranging from $1 to $100. A large chunk of the fake cash—just over $3,000—was taken in as evidence from a tavern in Park Ridge, he said.

So far, one person has been arrested in connection with the counterfeit money, but Lukas said officers have identified other persons of interest. He’s eager to get the word out now so area residents and businesses can take steps to protect themselves.

“These bills are out there now circulating,” he said. “I had this happen at the Amherst Fair; I found one on the ground and at first, I thought it was a real hundred-dollar bill. The first thing I did was check my wallet to see if I had any fakes in there.”

In one instance counterfeit bills were being used to pay rent, but most of the fake money was passed during transactions at convenience stores and banks.

The counterfeiters are “getting more and more brazen,” Lukas said. Some bills might have “copy” stamped on them, or be adorned with the phrase, “For motion picture use only.”

“Normal dollar bills don’t tear this easily, and some of the ink is faded and coming off,” he said.

Lukas said depending on the amount of counterfeit money involved and other circumstances, anyone involved in the scam could be charged with a number of crimes, including forgery.

Lukas and Fox offered some of the following tips:

• Watch for unusual coloring, size, or thickness of the bill. Sometimes it’s obviously fake.
• Check the bills for unusual wording, like “copy” or “For motion picture use only.”
• Real cash has colored fibers woven into it, watermarks, and a plastic security strip.
• Fake bills can have blurry printing, off-color printing, or printing that has flaked or worn off.
• Fake bills are often made of paper, while real money is made with a mix of paper and cotton. Fake bills are often easier to tear.
• Each bill should have a unique serial number. Counterfeit cash often stamped the same serial number of multiple bills.
• When in doubt, mark the bill with a counterfeit pen, available at any office supply store.

More information on spotting counterfeit money is available here.

Residents are also encouraged to check any cash they have on their person and to contact law enforcement immediately to report it. Lukas said if someone has fake bills in their possession, they’re likely stuck with the loss.

Fox urged residents to take their time when checking their cash.

“Be extra vigilant when you’re accepting money to ensure it looks and feels right; look for the strip in it,” Fox said. “If they hand over a stack of cash, it could be just a quick scheme to have it blend in with other cash. Don’t be in a hurry to give change, even if there’s a long line of people.”

To report counterfeit cash anywhere in Portage Co., call the county’s dispatch center at 715-346-1400.