Sheriff issues advisory on counterfeit money

In light of several recent complaints of counterfeit money allegedly being used in the Tri-City area, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert advises people of what to look for to spot fake bills.
On Monday, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office received three complaints of monetary instrument abuse. All three complaints originated from businesses, two in Bayou Vista and one in Patterson. Deputies responding to the complaints viewed $10 and $20 bills suspected of being counterfeit, according to a news release.
Hebert advises both businesses and individuals to be diligent in checking all cash transactions. “The pens used to detect counterfeit currency are a good way to start. But, being aware of the safety features in U.S. currency such as watermarks, security threads, and 3-D marks can protect you from a wider variety of ways cash is counterfeited," Hebert said.
The complaints are currently under investigation by detectives. By learning how to authenticate your money, you can help prevent becoming a victim of counterfeiting. The US Currency Education Program explains how to use the security features in US currency here,
https://uscurrency.gov/training.
“If the money doesn’t look right or feel right, then there’s a good chance that it could be counterfeit," Hebert said in the release.
Counterfeit cash bills should be reported immediately to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement agency. The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 337-828-1960 or 985-384-1622.