By AUDREY WOOD
Approximately $6,000 worth of counterfeit bills have been in circulation from Nephi to the southern border of Idaho, a member of the Salt Lake City Secret Service Committee said.
This particular case is unique because the counterfeiters printed $10 bills which don't have much of a return, said Dennis Crandall, a Secret Service Committee member.
'The counterfeiters knew that $10 dollar bills would be easily accepted at convenience stores and fast food restaurants because the cashiers are usually inexperienced and not familiar with legal tender qualities,' Crandall said.
As a result of the counterfeit scam, a $10 counterfeit bill was recently found at Wendy's restaurant in Lehi.
The perpetuator knew he possessed such bills, but forgot he had one bill in his wallet and payed for his food with it, said Lehi Detective James Monson.
Upon receiving the bill, Gail Greenalgh, a manager of the local Wendy's restaurant, said she knew the money was counterfeit because it felt like newspaper and the ink on the backside of the bill was extremely dark green.
Crandall said another feature to look for is a flat portrait of the president compared to the '3-D like' portrait on the genuine bills.
He also said to look at the line quality and the lack of red and blue fibers on the bill.
'There is a watermark on the new $150 bills, which helps distinguish the genuine from the fake,' Crandall said.
If one has a counterfeit bill in possession, Crandall advises to turn it in to the bank, the police or the Secret Service. Possession of counterfeit money is a federal offense and will be handled individually based upon the intent of the possessor.
Several people have been caught in the $10 counterfeiting case. They will be charged with replication, printing, possession and passing of counterfeit bills, Crandall said.