MASON CITY – Mason City police warned the public today of “washed” $50 bills that are now in circulation in the city.
Police warned local merchants and residents that two counterfeit $50 bills have been reported to police. The bills were passed at local businesses. Both counterfeit bills were originally five dollar bills and the printing was chemically washed away. The bills are then printed by the counterfeiter as a larger denomination.
Since the paper the counterfeit bills are printed on is genuine counterfeit detection pens are not effective in identifying the phony money. If you suspect that a bill could be counterfeit, Avoid handling as much as possible and check the bills other security measures. If you believe you have a counterfeit bill, contact the Mason City police department or your local law enforcement agency.