Jefferson City police warn of fake $20 bills

The Jefferson City Police Department has received calls recently from area businesses receiving counterfeit $20 bills. Detectives are working to determine suspect information.

Authorities said it's not uncommon for counterfeit bills to be passed here and it's usually the $20 bill that is remade.

To avoid accepting fake bills, police suggest merchants use counterfeit bill markers, especially when dealing with larger amounts of cash. Generally, the ink used in the marker turns a shade of black or brown on a fake bill. On a real bill, the ink will be a shade of yellow.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury suggests observing these features on bills to see if they are authentic:

Color-shifting ink: If you hold the new bill and tilt it back and forth, you can see a numeral in the lower right corner as its color shifts from green to black and back.

Watermark: Hold the bill up to a light to view the watermark in an unprinted space to the right of the portrait. The watermark can be seen from both sides of the bill since it is embedded in the paper.

Security thread: Hold the bill up to a light to view the security thread, a thin embedded strip running from top to bottom on the face of a banknote.

Ultraviolet glow: If held up to an ultraviolet light, the $5 bill glows blue, the $10 bill orange, the $20 green, the $50 yellow, and the $100 bill red.

For more information, visit treas.gov/offices/domestic-finance/acd/if-you-suspect.shtml.

Authorities said both the look and feel of a counterfeit bill are different than a real note. The paper doesn't feel the same, the colors are fuzzy or blurry, no security strips can be seen, and there are white edges around the bill where it wasn't printed correctly.

Authorities ask that if you receive a bill that appears to be counterfeit, contact your local financial institution or the police department.

Anyone with any information about this latest round of fake $20 bills is asked to contact JCPD at 634-6400 or Jefferson City Area CrimeStoppers at 659-TIPS.