Valley Springs, CA…The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office recently received several reports from local businesses and banks of people passing or attempting to pass counterfeit currency. The majority of the discovered counterfeit money is one hundred dollar bills and recent reports are currently centralized around the Valley Springs area.
The Sheriff’s Office is sending this public service announcement as a reminder that preventable measures can be taken to closely examine currency for legitimacy. Some of these bills are not easily detectable as counterfeit. Businesses operating in Calaveras County should familiarize themselves with the color, clarity, quality and safety features of U.S. currencies, if not familiar already. Tips for detecting counterfeit currency can be found on the U.S. Treasury website.

If someone attempts to pass counterfeit currency, try to delay the person with some excuse, if possible, and contact law enforcement, but do not put yourself in danger. There is always the chance that the person attempting to pass the counterfeit may not be aware that the bill is indeed counterfeit. Observe the passer’s description – and their companions’ descriptions – and write down their vehicle license plate numbers if you can.
Write your initials and date in the white border area of the suspected counterfeit note.

DO NOT handle the counterfeit note more than necessary. Place it inside a protective cover, a plastic bag, or envelope to protect it until you place it in the hands of an identified police officer or Secret Service agent.
Simple devices such as the “Dri Mark Products Tri-Test Ultraviolet Counterfeit Detection System” can assist in identifying counterfeit currency. These devices are reasonably priced and can be found on several websites.
If you suspect a counterfeit note or have information about counterfeiting activity, please report it immediately to the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 754-6500 or the U.S. Secret Service. The U.S. Secret Service has already been notified of the recent local reports.