Important Alert – Increase in Counterfeit Bills:
At People Driven Credit Union, your financial well-being is our top priority. Our cash courier has recently alerted us to an increase in counterfeit bills circulating in Michigan. We want to equip you with the knowledge to identify and prevent the spread of these fraudulent notes.
A Message from Our Cash Courier:
“We would like to bring to your attention that over the past 24 hours, there has been a noticeable increase in counterfeit bills. Specifically, these have predominantly been older-looking $100 bills. Attached below are two examples of the counterfeit bills we have received today. Kindly share this information with family, friends, and any business owners you may know to collectively reduce the circulation of counterfeit bills and mitigate revenue loss.
Please be reminded that all genuine bills, regardless of denomination, should feature ridges on the lapel/jacket of the person depicted in the center of the bills. By running your fingernail down the jacket, you should be able to feel these ridges. Additionally, use UV lights to check for the fibers and watermarks present in valid bills. A blurry or smudged bill is not authentic, as real money will not exhibit these characteristics. If a bill appears fuzzy, it may have been “washed”—a process where a smaller denomination is bleached and reprinted as a higher value. Please avoid relying solely on counterfeit detection pens, as they can be easily deceived. A loss of definition, such as the lines in the hair or the shadowing around the face, is a strong indicator of a counterfeit bill.”
Over the past 24 hours, there has been a noticeable surge in counterfeit bills, particularly older-looking $100 bills.
Below are examples of the counterfeit bills we have received today:
How to Identify Counterfeit Bills:
- Feel the Ridges: All genuine bills, regardless of denomination, should feature ridges on the lapel or jacket of the person depicted in the center. By running your fingernail down the jacket, you should be able to feel these ridges.
- Use UV Lights: Genuine bills have fibers and watermarks visible under UV light.
- Check for Blurriness: A blurry or smudged bill is not authentic. Real money will not exhibit these characteristics. If a bill appears fuzzy, it may have been “washed,” a process where a smaller denomination is bleached and reprinted as a higher value.
- Avoid Counterfeit Detection Pens: These pens can be easily deceived and should not be relied upon solely.
- Look for Definition: A loss of definition, such as the lines in the hair or the shadowing around the face, is a strong indicator of a counterfeit bill.
Your Role in Preventing Counterfeit Currency:
We want to ensure that none of these counterfeit bills end up in the hands of our members. Your vigilance is crucial in preventing financial losses due to counterfeit currency.
If you encounter suspicious bills, please retain them and contact local law enforcement and People Driven Credit Union immediately.
Contact Us:
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact our Member Services team at (248) 263-4100 or visit a branch. We greatly appreciate your attention to this important matter.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe from counterfeit currency.
Stay vigilant and protect your finances!
For more information on how to keep you and your personal information safe, visit our webpage on fraud alerts.
