Counterfeit currency found in Vermilion Parish

According to Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office’s PIO Eddie Langlinais, in the last couple of days, a business person in Vermilion parish reported an incident where the use of counterfeit currency was used to purchase goods.
In most cases, a person receiving counterfeit money as payment for goods and/or services is unaware that the cash payment being received is counterfeit money because they simply do not know how to tell the difference.
Often times, the recipient might not even know it’s counterfeit until trying to use it for payment and/or when it reaches the bank, making it difficult to determine who actually passed it.  Unless you can provide accurate record of who gave the counterfeit money to you, you end up becoming a victim by suffering the loss because the money is worthless.  
Sheriff Mike Couvillon is urging residents of Vermilion Parish to please be vigilant when receiving cash money, and recommends using the below link from the Secret Service as a tutorial that might help to avoid receiving counterfeit currency.
Secret Service offers a downloadable PDF called “Know Your Money” at www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2020-12/KnowYourMoney.pdf that points out key features to look at to determine if a bill is real or fake.
If you believe you have received counterfeit currency, the United States Treasury advises you to do the following:
• Do not put yourself in danger.
• Do not return the bill to the passer.
• Delay the passer with some excuse, if possible.
• Observe the passer’s description – and their companion’s descriptions.
• Write down their vehicle description and license plate numbers if you can.
• Contact your local law enforcement agency or call your local Secret Service office.
• Write your initials and date in the white border area of the suspected counterfeit note.
• Do not handle the counterfeit note. Place it inside a protective cover, a plastic bag, or envelope to protect it until you place it in the hands of an identified Secret Service Special Agent. You can also mail it to your nearest Secret Service office.
• Remember, if you are passed a counterfeit bill, you own it. So when accepting cash, it pays to be knowledgeable about the currency you are receiving.
Finally, Sheriff Couvillon says, “If it doesn’t look or feel right, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. If you’re passed a counterfeit bill, you own it. So when accepting cash, it pays to be knowledgeable about the currency you are receiving”.