Fake Bills Still Making The Rounds In Territory; VIPD Gives Counterfeit-Identifying Tips

ST. CROIX — The counterfeit bills — $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes — currently circulating the territory, have increased since the Virgin Islands Police Department made the initial announcement late last month, according to the force’s Public Information Officer Kevin Jackson. This time, however, tips to spot the fake notes were also made available to the public.

Jackson said one way to separate the real bills from the fake is through smell, as the fake bills have a sulfuric scent and do not smell like money. The counterfeit bills have all the features of genuine notes, Jackson added, including watermark, security thread, blue and red fibers, micro-printing and color-shifting ink. However, the ink on the fake bill does not turn from copper to green, instead it moves from a light greenish color to green. The counterfeit bills are the same size as the authentic ones.

Another method, according to the VIPD, is by comparing notes. If the coloring appears to be different it is probably a fake bill. And the counterfeit pen does not react to the fake bill; because it is a bleached bill and black light doesn’t work because the security thread on the fake bills are in the correct place and are the right color, Jackson said.

The VIPD is asking persons who have in their possession counterfeit notes to please turn them over to police. For further information, contact the Economic Crime Unit at 340-778-2211 on St. Croix or 340- 774-3942 on St. Thomas.