Counterfeit currency and fraud continued to make headlines across the United States throughout August. Reports ranged from counterfeit bills being used in everyday purchases and private sales to fake identification being used as part of a larger identity-theft scheme.

Here are five notable cases from the month and the lessons they offer businesses that accept cash and verify customer identities.

1. Counterfeit $100 Bills Used in Facebook Marketplace Robbery in Florida

A Facebook Marketplace transaction in Homestead, Florida, turned into a robbery after a man arranged to sell a gold chain to a buyer he met online. According to police, the victim was handed $2,100 in counterfeit $100 bills marked “Motion Picture Use Only.” The exchange took place at night, and the victim reportedly believed the bills were genuine before one of the suspects grabbed the chain and fled.

Business takeaway: Prop money can appear convincing during a fast transaction or in poor lighting. Whether accepting cash at a register or during an in-person sale, take time to inspect the entire bill and look for unusual wording and security features before completing the transaction.

2. Florida Woman Accused of Paying for Food Delivery With Counterfeit $50 Bills

A 19-year-old woman in St. Lucie County, Florida, was arrested after authorities said she used two counterfeit $50 bills to pay for an $83.90 food delivery. According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, the delivery driver accepted the bills before they were later determined to be counterfeit. The woman faces charges including uttering a false bank bill, possession of counterfeit currency and theft.

Business takeaway: Employees accepting cash away from a traditional register can be particularly vulnerable. Restaurants and other delivery-based businesses should make sure drivers know how to inspect larger bills and have access to a portable counterfeit detection tool when necessary.

3. Counterfeit IDs Used to Purchase a Picasso, Rolex and Other Luxury Items

Federal authorities said an Arlington, Texas, man and his co-conspirators obtained counterfeit driver’s licenses containing the personal information of real people and used stolen credit card information to make high-value purchases. The purchases reportedly included a Rolex watch, a four-wheeler ATV and an original work of art by Pablo Picasso. The man pleaded guilty in August to charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and unlawfully using another person’s identity.

Business takeaway: Counterfeit detection does not stop with cash. Businesses selling expensive merchandise should train employees to examine identification carefully and watch for inconsistencies between an ID, payment method and customer information.

4. Counterfeit $100 Bill Discovered at Mohegan Pennsylvania Casino

Pennsylvania State Police reported that a counterfeit $100 bill was discovered at the cash cage at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Plains Township. According to reports, a 68-year-old man brought the bill to the cash cage after several machines rejected it. The suspected counterfeit bill was taken into police custody and the incident remained under investigation.

Business takeaway: A rejected bill should never simply be moved to another register or machine. When currency raises suspicion, employees should perform additional verification using more than one security feature whenever possible.

5. Pennsylvania Police Warn Businesses About Counterfeit $5 Bills

The Locust Township Police Department warned residents and businesses after seeing an increase in counterfeit currency being passed in the area. Unlike many counterfeit warnings involving $50 or $100 bills, police said they were specifically seeing counterfeit $5 bills.

Authorities encouraged businesses to inspect security threads, watermarks, printing quality and paper texture and to report suspected counterfeit currency rather than attempting to spend it elsewhere.

Business takeaway: Counterfeiters do not only target high-denomination bills. Because employees may be less likely to inspect a $5 bill, lower denominations can sometimes pass without receiving the same scrutiny as a $50 or $100.

What These Cases Tell Businesses

August’s reports highlight several important counterfeit and fraud risks:

• Counterfeit currency can appear in both high and low denominations.
• Movie-prop money can be mistaken for genuine currency, particularly during rushed or poorly lit transactions.
• Employees accepting cash outside a traditional checkout environment still need a reliable verification process.
• Counterfeit IDs can be part of larger fraud and identity-theft schemes.
• A bill rejected by a machine or other detection method should receive additional inspection.
• Consistent verification is important even during routine, low-dollar transactions.

Businesses should train employees to check multiple security features when appropriate, including watermarks, embedded security threads, color-shifting ink, microprinting and paper characteristics.

Tip of the Month

Don’t overlook small bills. Employees may automatically inspect a $50 or $100 while accepting a $5, $10 or $20 without a second thought. August’s Pennsylvania warning is a good reminder that suspicious currency can appear in any denomination, so employees should know what genuine U.S. currency looks and feels like and investigate any bill that seems unusual.

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