Hamilton Police Service is advising members of the public and local businesses of a recent increase in counterfeit Canadian banknotes being circulated throughout the city. These counterfeit notes have been passed both in retail environments and during private transactions arranged through online buy-and-sell platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji.

The counterfeit bills are designed to imitate the current polymer $20, $50, and $100 notes and are notably high quality. However, they lack the legitimate security features found in genuine Canadian currency.

Identifying Counterfeit Banknotes

While the counterfeit notes may appear authentic at first glance, close inspection may reveal the following indicators:

• Multiple counterfeit notes may share the same serial number.
• The words “Prop Money”, “For Motion Picture Use”, or other foreign writing may appear within the holographic strip or elsewhere on the note.
• The holographic strip may appear as a sticker that can be removed or is taped into the transparent window.
• The colour and print quality may be dull, uneven, or peeling.
• The thickness and texture of the note may differ from genuine polymer currency.

What to Do if You Suspect a Counterfeit Note

If you believe you are being presented with a counterfeit banknote:

1. Ensure your safety first. Do not take any action that could put you at risk.
2. Politely refuse to accept the note and request a different one.
3. Inspect all notes carefully before accepting them.
4. Remember: the person presenting the note may not realize it is counterfeit.

Police are also reminding members of the public that a buy and sell exchange zone is located at the Mountain Station at 400 Rymal Road East, Hamilton to meet when buying or selling items.

For further information on the security features of genuine Canadian bank notes, please refer to the Bank of Canada’s website at www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes

Anyone who suspects they have received counterfeit currency is encouraged to report it to Hamilton Police by calling 905-546-4925 or by visiting any police station. Anonymous information can also be provided through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

On Wednesday, May 1, 2019, shortly after 8:00 p.m., Hamilton Police received information about a fraud occurrence at a restaurant located in the area of Barton Street East and Frederick Avenue. Prior to police arrival, the two female suspects entered the restaurant, obtained a meal and left money believed to be counterfeit on the table, as payment prior to leaving. Staff recognized the fraudulent money and followed the suspects as they entered a taxi and left the scene. They continued to update police communications and a short time later the vehicle was located in the area of Dunsmure Road and Houghton Avenue North. The female occupants were identified and arrested. It was learned one of the females was in disguise while at the restaurant.

Further investigation revealed one suspect was bound by a court order and as such was transported to police custody. She appeared in court earlier today.

The second female was released and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, May 27, 2019, to answer to a criminal charge.

SEIZED

• $100 bill, Canadian currency

CHARGED

• Heather Urban, 27-years-of-age from Hamilton

CHARGES

• Food and lodging fraud
• Possess counterfeit money
• Utter counterfeit money

CHARGED

• Female 23-years-of-age from Hamilton

CHARGES

• Food and lodging fraud

The following tips are being provided to help identify counterfeit bills:

• Feel the bill. All Canadian and US currency is produced with raised ink on the shoulders of the portrait and elsewhere on the bill.

• Look at the bill. The finish on a genuine bill does not scrape off and the colour does not run when it gets wet. The holographic strip is embedded in the bill, not added as a sticker, and does not peel off.

• Tilt the bill from side to side. On polymer bills, the transparent window contains a metallic portrait that matches the larger one on the face of the bill and changes colour when tilted. The transparent window also contains small numbers that match the value of the bill.

• On older bills, the holographic strip contains maple leaves that change colour when the bill is tilted. This strip also contains small numbers that match the value of the bill.

• The dollar value is hidden in the frosted maple leaf in the corner.

• If you suspect a bill is counterfeit, politely refuse to accept the note. Advise the person to check the note with their bank and inform police of a possible attempt to pass suspected counterfeit money. Call 911 if the transaction is in progress or 905-546-4925 to report bills you believe are counterfeit.