KENNEWICK, Wash. - Businesses, beware: a rash of counterfeit cash has the Kennewick Police Department on the lookout for whoever is printing the phony money. At least four business have accepted the bogus bills so far.
What's interesting is the bills involved in these cases aren't typically 100's, 50's or even 20's. They're fives and tens.
Kennewick Police said businesses are less likely to check those smaller bills and the criminals have figured that out. So far, Yoke's, McDonalds, Twigs Bistro, Tesoro Food Mart and even Westgate
"There's a little bit of it all the time. But when we see a whole bunch like we have so far this year, that means somebody has printed up a batch, thrown in the washer and dryer to make it look old, age them. Then they're out there trying to pass them," said Sergeant Ken Lattin.
Lattin said a lot of businesses don't even realize they've accepted fake money. It's often not detected until it makes it to the bank.
He said anytime you get a counterfeit bill you should call police immediately. You can usually tell if the money is fake by the feel of the paper or if you can wipe the ink off.
