SAPD: Be on the Lookout for Fake $100 Bills

SAN ANGELO, TX -- The San Angelo Police Department has issued a Community Alert - The Department’s Criminal Investigations Division has an important message for local businesses regarding counterfeit currency and counterfeit forms of personal identification: Locally, several criminals are using counterfeit paper IDs with false information to cash stolen and counterfeit checks. In addition, the criminals are using the phony documents to obtain loans at local check-cashing and payday loan centers. The suspects are also using counterfeit US currency ($100) to make small purchases. Even though the bills are of poor quality, several businesses have accepted them. In most cases, businesses have reported the suspects are being “pushy” or in a rush to complete the transaction and that the criminals flee when they have been confronted about the legitimacy of the currency. 

Our investigators are cautioning employees and business owners to strictly monitor any form of paper identification that is being presented by potential customers and to educated employees about how to spot fake banknotes by visiting the U.S. Currency Education Program website, https://www.uscurrency.gov/ and download their quick reference guide at https://www.uscurrency.gov/…/quick-reference-guide-5-10-20-…

If you encounter these criminals and it is safe to do so, please attempt to obtain a good description of the person(s) and vehicles involved.