I Got a Counterfeit Bill!

The convenience store | Today | by Laz

[Lazamataz]

Today, in change I received for a $100 bill, I got a counterfeit $20.

It looked real, if the color was off slightly. The paper felt like the heavy-rag-content paper of normal bills. It showed some wear, so it has clearly circulated undiscovered for some time.

In fact, the only reason I discovered it was counterfeit is that the colors ran. I had bought a diet coke, and the condensed water on the outside came into contact with the bill. The images blurred and the colors ran. That doesn't normally happen.

It is the 'new' style $20, and should have the security strip imbedded in the bill. It does not. It also ripped in two quite easily when wet. Normal bills are a lot tougher.

I'm not quite sure what to do with this bill. I suppose I could go back to the store, but it is now hours later, and they may not believe me and think I am trying to pass a bad $20 myself. Obviously, it's unwise and immoral to spend it. It's not even useful as a novelty, all smeared and ripped as it is. So what do I do with this thing?

[RoughDobermann]

Call the Treasury Department/SS

[Glenn]

Send it to the Secret Service. You are out $20.

[RoughDobermann]

Here is a list of local offices.

[vavavah]

Soory Dude to late.....if it ever happens again which it probably wont.....stop by your local Convienience store or Tit Ti Bar and move it along.....

[Lazamataz]

Call the Treasury Department/SS

I suppose, but I don't know how much they'll learn from this bill. It's a laser-print job. The only thing that's interesting is that the paper is not your typical laser-printer paper. It has a heavier, "money" feel -- but, of course, none of the red and blue fibers imbedded in real money.

[Starwind]

So what do I do with this thing?

a) Stop using cheap ink!
b) Outsource the work to India
c) Switch to the Un-cola
d) all the above

[Catspaw]

Laz, I'd still call the Treasury Dept./USSS and let them know someone in your area is passing fake money. If they catch the perp, it'd be another count.

[ChemistCat]

Does it look as if they might have cleaned up older ones to print their fake 20 on it? That's the easiest way I can think of for someone to get the right kind of paper.

[vavavah]

D

[SamKeck]

You are out $20.

Yep. If you try to pass it, you could very well end up trouble that, to get out of, would cost you a lot more than $20. Personally, I'd turn it in to a local bank, get a receipt, and write it off on my taxes.

[RoughDobermann]

I suppose, but I don't know how much they'll learn from this bill. It's a laser-print job. The only thing that's interesting is that the paper is not your typical laser-printer paper. It has a heavier, "money" feel -- but, of course, none of the red and blue fibers imbedded in real money.

Hmmmm. Curiouser. Check out the SS counterfeit page here. Try to see if the red and blue fibers are real or not under magnification.

[Rodney King]

No matter what, you are out 20 bucks. The best thing to do in such a situation if you don't want to be out 20 bucks is to pass it a long. That's probably what happened to you. However, you should send it to the SS. It may not seem like it means much to you, but as part of larger patterns it is very important.

[ChemistCat]

I was thinking maybe the fibers bleached--I understand you don't see fibers in it.

[cloud8]

What kills me besides your pain at being down $20, is that the new high-tech bill had passed for some time. Humph. I want our old pre-clinton greenbacks back.

[Blueflag]

A friend of mine was playing golf at public golf course off Old Alabama in north Atlanta and got 'pulled over' by the course marshall because he had passed a bad $20 bill when he paid his fees.

He had to go to the pro shop, pay an additional $20 and answer a lot of questions from the local police who had no intention of charging him with anything, but wanted to try to ascertain where he might have gotten it.

[myprecious]

So what do I do ?

Immediately send the remaining contents of your wallet to me for analysis. I will email you an address.

[gitmo]

This is from the Secret Service website:

KNOW YOUR MONEY If You Receive A Counterfeit
Do not return it to the passer.
Delay the passer if possible.
Observe the passer's description, as well as that of any companions, and the license numbers of any vehicles used.
Contact your local police department or United States Secret Service field office. These numbers can be found on the inside front page of your local telephone directory.
Write your initials and the date in the white border areas of the suspect note.
Limit the handling of the note. Carefully place it in a protective covering, such as an envelope. Surrender the note or coin only to a properly identified police officer or a U.S. Secret Service special agent.

[John Jorsett]

So what do I do with this thing?

Donate it to a Democrat's campaign?

[Lazamataz]

Soory Dude to late.....if it ever happens again which it probably wont.....stop by your local Convienience store or Tit Ti Bar and move it along.....

Well, I wouldn't have noticed unless the colors ran, and by then it was too damaged to pass.

I don't think I would knowingly pass a bad bill, but how many have I passed unknowingly?