The Durango Police Department reports an uptick in the number of counterfeit bills being passed around town during the past couple of months.
The bills have turned up at banks, businesses with delivery services such as Domino’s Pizza, and by individuals who have sold items on Craigslist and Durango Online Garage Sale, said Detective Brad Roach.
Detectives have a lead on an individual who may be passing the bills, Roach said, but that lead consists only of a vehicle description and no name.
Police have seen $10, $20 and $100 counterfeit bills, he said.
“Some of these are pretty bad, obviously counterfeit,” Roach said. “They don’t feel right, and the backs are printed upside down from the front.”
It is illegal to knowingly pass a counterfeit bill. Anyone who thinks they might be in possession of a counterfeit bill should obtain any identifying information they can about the person who passed the bill and notify law enforcement, he said.
Counterfeit bills are often printed overseas and distributed in the United States. The Durango Police Department will investigate the local cases, but ultimately, they are turned over to the U.S. Secret Service.
Anyone who would like to learn more about detecting counterfeit money or to report a case can call Roach at 375-4738.
