APD forgery investigators have reported that two counterfeit $50 dollar bills have surfaced in Amarillo in the last week. The serial number of the bills passed so far is JK00322220A . The bills are made in a manner that allows them to avoid detection through the use of the common counterfeit detector marking pen. The bills were passed at two different locations. In each case, an employee of the store was able to recognize the bill was counterfeit because of experience handling money and knowledge of U.S. currency’s security features. You can learn about those features at http://www.secretservice.gov/KnowYourMoneyApril08.pdf
The printing quality of the bills is not that of genuine bills. If you think someone is trying to present a counterfeit bill, try to avoid returning it to the person that passed it. Delay them and call the Amarillo Police Department through 911 if the suspect is still there, or 378-3038 if the crime is not in progress. Try to note the license plate number of any vehicle involved, and try to avoid handling the bill to preserve fingerprint evidence.
Remember, these bills will pass the common marking pen method used to detect them. There have been no suspects arrested at this time. Investigators have reason to believe that other bills like this may be passed.
