Central Okanagan

BC RCMP are issuing a warning to the business community after detecting a spike in the passing of counterfeit Canadian currency throughout the interior.

Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, says police have received 23 complaints of counterfeit currency either being passed or attempted to be passed since July 26.

Photo: Contributed - Bank of Canada

Complaints have come from Oliver, Osoyoos, Okanagan Falls, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Salmon Arm and Kamloops.

Moskaluk says the incidents of counterfeit involved $20, $50 and $100 bills from the Canadian Journey Series (2001 to 2006).

"The public, merchants and businesses should always check the security features of the bank notes before accepting them," says Moskaluk.

These security features include:

• The watermark or Ghost image
• The security thread
• The overall print quality
• The metallic or holographic strip and
• The puzzle number or see through number

“The typical Modus Operandi is for the passer to make an inexpensive purchase and pay with a large denomination, in turn receiving a large percentage of change back in authentic currency, leaving the bogus bill in the till. Feel, look and flip the bank note to check the security features.” adds Moskaluk.

The RCMP would like to raise awareness to the public, businesses and merchants of these recent incidents involving counterfeit currency. 

For more information on counterfeiting prevention go to the Bank of Canada website at http://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/counterfeit-prevention/