Whether you're running a business or just selling Girl Scout cookies, there are times when people might try to pass you fake money A few weeks ago, the Hermitage Police Department warned residents and businesses to watch out for counterfeit 50 bills in the area They say it's not uncommon for students to give them to their classmates, and even local law enforcement officers have fallen prey to the scam
 
 Trying to avoid getting duped by a fake bill, or currency, is best achieved with some simple steps There are a number of indicators to look out for that might help you distinguish a real from a fake 50 dollar bill, or any other currency One of the first things to look for is the security thread This is a thin strip of printing that runs vertically from the top to bottom of the bill You can find it positioned to the right of the portrait on 10 and 50 bills, and to the left on 5s, 20s and 100s If the bill is genuine, it should also glow under ultraviolet light
 
 Another indicator is the microprinting This is text that's visible with a magnifying glass Look for the word FIFTY in two of the blue stars to the left of Grant's portrait, as well as the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in fine lines on the outer vertical borders Finally, you should look at the watermark on the '50' symbol The genuine bill should display a color shifting image that changes from copper to green
 
 The feel of the money is also an important factor Authentic money is made from cotton and linen fibers, which makes it more durable than regular paper This helps to make it harder for fraudsters to reproduce It should also feel thicker than normal paper, and it shouldn't crease or tear easily If a bill feels different in any way, it's probably a fake
 
 If you suspect a bill is fraudulent, don't return it to the passer or use it as payment If possible, delay the passer and take note of their physical appearance and their vehicle license plate if possible If  https//cashjacketco/  suspect someone of passing you counterfeit money, fill out this form It's geared towards banks, but you can still use it to report suspicious banknotes
 
 Possessing, producing or attempting to pass counterfeit money is illegal on the federal level, and if you can prove that you had intent to defraud others, you could face up to 20 years in prison You're also liable if you're the person who was passed counterfeit currency and then gave it to another person, so inspect any bills that you might be suspicious of If you're not sure, call your local Secret Service office to see if they can verify the bill's authenticity If you are a bank employee, use this form to notify them of any suspected counterfeit banknotes The Federal Reserve will work with your bank to investigate the matter and remove any phony bills from circulation