Fox 28: South Bend, Elkhart IN News, Weather, SportsCounterfeit money hard to spot in Elkhart

Counterfeit money hard to spot in Elkhart

Elkhart Police say this counterfeiter's money isn't easy to spot.  And that's why so many people have been fooled.  So police say you're best bet is to check the texture, size, color, and watermarks to make sure the money is real.

"The paper isn't right so as long as you check the paper you should be able to catch it," said Admiral Cashier Tori Duffield.

But it was too little too late when retailers and police noticed eight counterfeit bills floating around Elkhart.

"There's probably more out there already and we need to get this person caught," said Elkhart Police Lt. Ed Windbigler.

A person who hit up this McDonalds, Admiral, Marathon, and city pool with fake 20 dollar bills hoping to slip under the radar.

"Usually we check the 50s and 100 dollar bills because you think ok people want a lot of cash," said Marathon Cashier Patricia Hill.

They're all stores aimed at fast service which makes them an easy target.

"We get really busy and everything and you end up with lines and people coming in and they kind of get bummed out that you have to check it," said Duffield.

And after falling victim once, Admiral Cashier Tori Duffield says all employees have to use this marker to check all bills.  Gold is good.  But if the line turns black, it's a fake.

"Don't just rely on the marker.  Make sure the security tab's in there and look for the head that's the watermark off to the side," said Windbigler.

Police showed us just how hard it is to make money using new printers and scanners with built in security measures.  If you copy a bill, it will turn out like this.  Try to scan one and it will print out smaller with this website about counterfeiting laws.  But right now someone is doing it. Right now Windbigler says fake money is out there and he's warning retailers to watch out.

"If they get a counterfeit bill or think it's counterfeit, we need some info on who it's coming from.  Even if the person leaves, get a license plates, get a car description, if you have a surveillance tape get that to us," said Windbigler.

If the suspect is caught, the Elkhart Police department will turn over the case to the FBI.  If you have any information about these counterfeit bills you can call the Elkhart Police at 574-295-7070.

Reporter: Nadia Crow