Fake $50s making the rounds, police warn

By Trail Champion

The RCMP continue to investigate these two incidents.

Phony currency has police warning retailers and the public to be wary of high-denomination bills such as $50 and $100, according to RCMP Sgt. Mike Wicentowich.

``On Nov. 10, the Trail and Greater District Detachment RCMP received two separate reports of a male suspect using counterfeit $50 bills at businesses in the Trail area.

The counterfeit bill is shorter than a normal bill, does not contain all of the normal security features, has a distinctive black dash on one corner, bears the serial number LGQ03229158, and will likely have a plastic hologram from a $5 bill taped to it. The RCMP continue to investigate these two incidents.

``The RCMP recommend checking all $50 and $100 monetary denominations for:

• The feeling of raised ink on the numbers and letters on the bill.
• The hologram containing the proper number (50 or 100) indicating the true value of the bill.
• The hologram containing a matching picture of the person on the bill.
  • $50:  William Lyon Mackenzie (Canada's Longest Serving Prime Minister)
  • $100:  Sir Robert Borden (Canada's eighth Prime Minister)

`` If you are a recipient of a counterfeit bill, please report it to the Trail and Greater District Detachment RCMP at 250-364-2566. 

``Information about Canadian money and security features can be obtained at the Bank of Canada link.