SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Are you certain that the $100 bill you've been holding onto is the real deal? Sonora residents may want to double-check.

According to a statement issued to the public by the City of Sonora on June 10, the Sonora Police Department has received multiple reports of counterfeit $100 bills circulating within the city. To combat the rise of the decoy dough, the City is urging "all residents, especially local businesses, to be vigilant and take the necessary steps to identify and avoid these fraudulent bills."

"Businesses are encouraged to educate their employees on how to identify counterfeit bills," the City said. "Utilize counterfeit detection pens or markers and follow the identification tips provided above to prevent the circulation of fake currency."

To this end, the City shared tips provided by the United States Treasury for detecting counterfeit cash. It recommends using these methods:

• Color Shift in Ink — Hold the bill and tilt it back and forth. Observe the numeral in the lower right-hand corner. Genuine bills will shift in color from green to black.
• Watermark — Hold the bill up to the light. A genuine bill will display a watermark in an unprinted space to the right of the portrait.
• Security Thread — Hold the bill up to the light to see an embedded security thread. For $5, $20 and $100 bills, the thread is located to the left of the portrait. For $10 and $50 bills, it is to the right of the portrait.
• Ultraviolet Glow — Under ultraviolet light, different denominations will glow different colors: $5 glows blue, $10 glows orange, $20 glows green, $50 glows yellow and $100 glows red.
• Microprinting — Look for minute microprinting around the portrait and on the security threads of the bill.

Websites and online tools provided by the federal government, such as this interactive money identification guide offered by the U.S. Currency Education Program or this .pdf chart created by the U.S. Secret Service, may also provide useful tips for identifying counterfeit money.

The Sonora Police Department also offered guidelines for what to do should you discover that you have received a counterfeit bill. According to the City, these guidelines are as follows:

• Do not put yourself in danger.
• Do not return the bill to the passer.
• Delay the passer with an excuse if possible.
• Observe and note the passers' and companions' descriptions, as well as their vehicle license plate numbers if possible.
• Contact your local police department or call your local Secret Service office immediately.
• Write your initials and the date in the white border area of the suspected counterfeit bill.
• Do not handle the counterfeit note excessively. Place it in a protective cover, such as a plastic bag or envelope, until you can hand it over to a law enforcement agent or Secret Service agent.

"Stay alert and report any suspicious activity to help keep our community safe," the City said. "Thank you for your cooperation."

News Source : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/local-news/is-your-100-bill-a-counterfeit-sonora-wants-you-to-check/