Counterfeit Bills Back In Grand Junction: How To Spot One

At a glance, can you tell the difference between a real $100 bill and a fake one? For many, it might be hard to be sure. That's exactly what a counterfeiter is hoping for.

This week, KJCT News 8 reported that counterfeit bills are showing up at businesses in downtown Grand Junction. Cashiers who accept the fake bills risk losing real money with little recourse once the transaction is done. Knowing exactly what to look for can be a lifesaver.

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Recent Counterfeit Activity in Grand Junction

Grand Junction Police recently shared photos of individuals accused of using counterfeit $100 bills at multiple downtown Grand Junction businesses. Police say they are also investigating recent cases that involved bills altered to resemble higher denominations. Wow. Counterfeiters using bills with updated currency designs during busy store hours seem to be catching some cashiers offguard.

Spot the Real Deal: How to Check a $100 Bill

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Due to these recent crimes, if any $100 bill lands in your hand in Western Colorado, police say it’s worth taking an extra second before accepting it. The good news is that real $100 bills include multiple advanced features designed to be checked quickly without special tools. Here are 7 things to check from uscurrency.gov.

Look for the Blue 3D Security Ribbon

• How To Check It: Tilt the bill. Bells and “100s” should move side to side.
• Why This Helps: It’s woven into the bill and extremely hard to replicate.
• Watch For: A ribbon that looks printed or doesn’t move.

Check Benjamin Franklin’s Watermark

• How To Check It: Hold the bill to the light; Franklin’s image appears to the right.
• Why This Helps: Counterfeit watermarks often look flat or mismatched.
• Watch For: No watermark or one only visible on one side.

Tilt for Color-Shifting Ink

• How To Check It: The “100” changes from copper to green.
• Why This Helps: Color-shifting ink is difficult to duplicate.
• Watch For: Ink that stays the same color.

Tip: Feel the Raised Ink and Paper Texture

• How To Check It: Run a finger over Franklin’s shoulder.
• Why This Helps: Real bills use raised printing and cotton-linen paper.
• Watch For: Smooth or waxy texture.

Tip: Examine Microprinting

• How To Check It: Look for sharp, readable, tiny text.
• Why This Helps: Microprinting blurs on counterfeits.
• Watch For: Smudged or fuzzy text.

Tip: Use UV Light to Check the Security Thread

• How To Check It: Under UV light, the thread glows pink.
• Why This Helps: Each denomination glows a specific color.
• Watch For: No glow or the wrong color.

Tip: Inspect Serial Numbers

• How To Check It: Numbers should match and be evenly spaced.
• Why This Helps: Fakes often show alignment issues.
• Watch For: Uneven or mismatched numbers.

What Grand Junction Police Want You to Do

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Sometimes the counterfeiter is long gone by the time the crime is realized. If you think you have been given a fake $100 bill, contact law enforcement. Try to handle the bill as little as possible. In Grand Junction, call non-emergency dispatch at 970-242-6707. Never hesitate to call in a fake bill. You’ll be helping Western Slope businesses and our community.