AVALON –– Many dream of having an endless supply of money, yet those who attempt to replicate the intricacies of a federal mint in their home may want to think twice as federal security measures and local training have merchants prepared to see through the sham.
The Avalon Police Department hosted a free seminar at Community Hall here June 26 to educate local business owners and their employees in identifying fake greenbacks.
“People who pass illegal currency sometimes target the Jersey shore due to the seasonal nature of the economy,” said Avalon Police Chief David Dean. “We want to give the mer-chants and their staff all the training they need to show that Avalon is not a good place to attempt these transactions.”
Special Agent George Rogers of the United States Secret Service, an expert on the federal level, told merchants specifically how to spot phony currency and what steps they can take to prevent accepting forged loot.
Microprinting, color-shifting ink and security threading are just a few examples of the advancing security features on modern United States currency.
Merchants should not accept counterfeits for purchase and those who suspect they have accidentally accepted a counterfeit can turn it over to local police. If the bill is genuine, it will be returned; if it’s fake it will not be reimbursed for it is illegal to knowingly pass any counterfeit money.
“Even though they may seem nonviolent, they’re committing a crime,” Dean said.
In 2006, borough police encountered someone who was frequently passing fake $20 bills in area nightclubs; a search warrant revealed the culprit had an illegal 9mm handgun in his car and over $1,000 in seemingly computer-generated money, Dean said.
“They seemed to follow a pattern using counterfeits in nightclubs because it’s often dim inside and the conditions were perfect,” Dean said.
His advice to businesses is to treat the counterfeit money situation as they would a case of shoplifting. Business owners and employees are encouraged to get a detailed description of any person attempting to pay with counterfeit money and, if possible, the vehicle description and license plate, then call the police.
“Don’t make an apprehension on the spot; we would much rather detain them outside of the store and away from your customers,” Dean said.
He said a person with fake money might not be the original perpetrator and “may not realize it and could be a victim themselves.”
“There are stories every year about merchants all along the coastline who accept bogus currency; we want to do all we can to give the merchants the tools they need to identify and intercept illegal transactions,” Dean said.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com.
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