MEIGS COUNTY, OH — The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office is alerting local businesses and residents about counterfeit $50 bills being passed in the area. According to Sheriff Scott Fitch, several local banks have reported receiving these fake bills from businesses.
Investigators have determined that these counterfeits are actually genuine $5 and $20 bills that have been altered to appear as $50 bills. Due to this method, counterfeit detection pens will not identify them as fake.
How to Spot a Fake $50 Bill
Authorities urge the public to look for the following signs:
- A raised texture on the note due to photocopying.
- Incorrect watermarks: The watermark should show Ulysses S. Grant, but the fakes may still display Abraham Lincoln (from a $5 bill) or Andrew Jackson (from a $20 bill).
- Security strip mismatch: The strip inside the bill should read “USA 50”, but these counterfeits may still say “USA FIVE” or “USA TWENTY”.
Businesses and individuals are encouraged to carefully inspect all cash transactions. If you suspect you have received a counterfeit bill, do not attempt to pass it along. Instead, report it to law enforcement immediately.
For more information or to report suspicious bills, contact the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.
