ESTHERVILLE – Area police departments are warning of fake bills turning up and warn to be vigilant in checking currency.
The Storm Lake police department warned citizens that a forgery trend that could rip off the unsuspecting and unobservant is in that area, and police in Estherville and Sac City echoed the report. Storm Lake police recovered a counterfeit $100 bill from a business last month, they say. Several similar bills in other denominations have been recovered across the United States in the past two years. Police describe the fake bills as having pink or purple Chinese lettering on them (as pictured).
Mason City police recently investigated a possible fake $50 bill that was allegedly used at a local restaurant.
If you are given what seems like fraudulent currency, call your local police department.