Hartford, Ala. (WDNews)
– The Hartford Police Department is warning local residents and business owners to be on the lookout for counterfeit $50 and $100 bills following a noticeable increase in fake currency across Geneva County.
According to police, many of these counterfeit bills are altered from real, lower-denomination U.S. currency, which allows them to bypass traditional counterfeit detection pens. Even embedded security strips may appear legitimate.
Authorities are urging those who handle large amounts of cash—especially retail workers—to closely examine higher-value bills before accepting them.
“If you believe you’ve received a counterfeit bill, do not try to return it or pass it on,” the department advised in a statement. “Bring it to the Hartford Police Department so it can be properly documented and removed from circulation.”
To help identify authentic bills, the department encourages the public to check for the following features:
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Watermark: Found on the right side when held to light
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Security Thread: A UV-reactive vertical strip, location varies by bill
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Color-Shifting Ink: Bottom right number changes color when tilted
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Raised Printing: Real bills have a textured feel
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Microprinting: Tiny text indicating the bill’s value
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UV Detection: Authentic bills show hidden elements under blacklight
Watermark: Found on the right side when held to light
Security Thread: A UV-reactive vertical strip, location varies by bill
Color-Shifting Ink: Bottom right number changes color when tilted
Raised Printing: Real bills have a textured feel
Microprinting: Tiny text indicating the bill’s value
UV Detection: Authentic bills show hidden elements under blacklight
Hartford Police say community awareness is key to stopping the spread of counterfeit money and encourage anyone with questions to contact the department directly.
