The Regina Police Service is advising business owners to review their training on detecting counterfeit currency with their employees. This advisory comes after the discovery, in recent days, of a dozen 100-dollar bills suspected to be counterfeit currency. The counterfeits were reported to police by three banking institutions in Regina, whose processes discovered the fake bills in night deposits from local businesses. The Regina Police Service is investigating the counterfeits and attempting to identify suspects. The bills are described as older 100-dollar bills from the Canadian Journey series, which is the series of bills issued just prior to the release of the new polymer 100-dollar bills. At this time, no charges have been laid in connection to these counterfeit bills.
The Regina Police Service reminds the public that anyone who discovers that he/she is in possession of counterfeit currency should report to police. Business owners should direct employees to diligently check all bank notes. Business owners should educate staff on the security features of all denominations of Canadian currency. The website of the Bank of Canada has very detailed information on the current and previous bank note series at http://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/bank-note-series/ and counterfeit prevention.
Business owners should also counsel staff on what to do if they suspect currency to be counterfeit. The method of payment in any transaction has to be acceptable to the seller, so a business may refuse to take currency suspected to be counterfeit. Instead, employees should note a description of the person and phone police immediately. It may be that the individual in possession of the bill is unaware that it is counterfeit. An investigation by police would determine the appropriate action. Anyone who comes into possession of a bill suspected to be counterfeit should contact police. Police also remind the public that anyone who knowingly passes a counterfeit bill is committing a criminal offence and is subject to prosecution.
The Regina Police Service thanks the media and the public for their attention to this matter.