Last week, Bowling Green Police Division responded to Walmart, at 141 W. Gypsy Lane Road, for a suspected counterfeit bill being used for a purchase. This is the third time counterfeit bills have been reported to BGPD in the last few weeks.
Loss prevention personnel told police that a female and male attempted to pass a fake $100 in the self-checkout. Video footage was downloaded and was provided to authorities. The fake $100 bill was surrendered to police and placed into evidence.
BGPD Deputy Chief Adam Skaff offered tips on how to recognize counterfeit money. Following are characteristics of real bills:
- Paper feel: Crisp cotton-linen paper; slightly raised ink
- Watermark: Matches the portrait when held to light
- Security thread: Embedded strip with denomination (glows under UV)
- Color-shifting ink: Lower-right number changes color when tilted
- $100 bills: Blue 3-D ribbon is woven in, not printed
- Microprinting: Tiny text is sharp, not blurry
- Portrait quality: Clear detail, not flat or washed out
- Serial numbers: Even spacing; same color as Treasury seal
- Overall print: No smears, misalignment, or fuzzy edges
