Dubuque Police Warn of Counterfeit $100 Bills

Date: 12/24/18
Contacts: Lieutenant Joe Messerich, (563) 589-4473
                  Assistant Chief Jeremy Jensen, (563) 589-4444

The use of counterfeit currency has been on the rise in recent years, both nationally and locally.  This year our officers worked 123 cases where counterfeit bills were recovered. During these investigations, we collected hundreds of counterfeit bills in denominations ranging from $5 to $100.

The latest counterfeit bill to make the rounds in Dubuque is an obvious fake but it can get missed if it’s not examined by the seller. If you look at the backside of the fake bill pictured here, you will notice foreign language characters printed on it. The bill also doesn’t feel like real money.

If you handle money, work behind a register, or if you are selling an item via an online marketplace; please take a moment to examine large bills if they are used as payment. Be especially cautious of buyers using large bills to pay for inexpensive items. 

To learn more about the security features found on legitimate U.S. currency, check out the reference material from the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Currency Education Program found at the links below.     

https://www.uscurrency.gov/educational-materials/download-materials

https://www.secretservice.gov/data/KnowYourMoney.pdf

If you have any information on this incident or others, please call the Dubuque Police Department at 563-589-4415 or Crime Stoppers at 800-747-0117 or 563-588-0714 (if the information leads to an arrest, the caller is eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000). You can also submit tips anonymously online at www.cityofdubuque.org/police or through the MyDBQ smartphone app available at www.cityofdubuque.org/MyDBQ.