How to spot fake $20 bills circulating around town

ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 1130) – Do you have a $20 bill in your wallet? Better check to make sure it’s real.

Abbotsford Police are warning people to keep an eye out for fakes, and are offering tips on how to spot them.

Sergeant Judy Bird says fraudsters are creating fake bills by taping clear plastic hologram panels onto what appear to be bills printed on a computer, and are then using them at local businesses.

“Businesses are likely to be targeted during busy periods or when less-experienced staff is working,” says Sergeant Judy Bird in a news release.

How to spot a fake:

If you receive a $20, take a close look. Here’s what police say you should look for:

• Look closely at the hologram to make sure the denomination matches the denomination on the banknote. The “hologram” of recently circulated fake currency is blank
• Feel the bill; counterfeit currency is rough whereas the authentic polymer bill is smooth
• Ensure that the edges of the bill are straight and that it has the same dimensions as other bills; fake bills are often poorly cut and are not of uniform size
• Images on the bill should be crisp and well-defined; the images on counterfeit bills are sometimes unclear

You can find more security features on authentic $20 bills by checking with the Bank of Canada.

What should you do if you think you’re being given a fake $20?

If you suspect you are being given a fake bill during a transaction, police say you should:

• Politely refuse the bill, explaining that you believe that it may be counterfeit
• Ask for a different bill (check that one as well)
• Advise the person in possession of the bill to check it with the bank or the police

Police emphasize being polite when asking for an alternate bill, as the person who is handing it to you might be innocent and not even realize the bill is a fake. They add you should only ask for a new note if you feel that doing so won’t put you at risk.

If you suspect a note is counterfeit after a transaction, police say you should check the bill with your bank or police department. If it’s real, you’ll get it back.

Police point out once a fake bill has changed hands, it’s the responsibility of the current holder to turn it in to the bank or police. Unfortunately, you won’t be reimbursed for it, which is why police say the best defence against this kind of fraud is vigilance during transactions.

It’s also illegal to knowingly continue to use counterfeit currency.