Police Issue Warning For Counterfeit Cash Circulating In Newtown Area

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Newtown Township Police issued a warning on Monday following reports of counterfeit cash circulating in and around the area over the weekend.

Police are asking residents and business owners to take a moment "and educate themselves on how to spot counterfeit cash.

"If you ever come into contact with what you believe to be counterfeit money, contact your local police department," police said.

The best way to determine whether a note is genuine is to rely on the security features, such as the watermark and security thread, according to the Federal Reserve. Counterfeit detection pens are not always accurate and may provide false results. To learn about these and other security features in genuine Federal Reserve notes, visit the U.S. Currency Education Program website.

It is important to know what the security features are in genuine currency, because if you end up with a counterfeit note, you will lose that money, according to the Federal Reserve. A counterfeit note cannot be exchanged for a genuine one, and it is illegal to knowingly pass counterfeit currency.

If you live in the United States and you think you've received a counterfeit note, immediately notify police. Try to remember the physical characteristics of the person who passed the suspect
counterfeit, and if possible write down the person's license plate number and vehicle description. Store the suspect counterfeit apart from genuine currency and release it as soon as possible to law enforcement authorities.