Fake money is reportedly being passed around Boundary County.

According to Boundary County Sheriff Chief Deputy Rich Stephens, three $100 counterfeit bills were passed at Three-Mile Cafe recently.  It is also believed that there have been $5 and $20 counterfeit bills passed in town.

“We are sure if the outfit is local or out of the area, the bills are of fair quality,” said Stephens.

He  reminds banks, businesses and consumers  to be on the lookout for  fake bills that have the correct color markings but feel a little different to the touch.

“People in banks and who handle money all the time can usually tell by the feel,” said Stephens.  “Whoever is doing it has pretty sophisticated equipment.”

A special marker can be purchased to indicate whether a bill is fake or not and it is recommended all business use this marker before accepting large bills.

“In the last two weeks, six $50 bills have been passed at J.J.’s Cookshack, Three-Mile Store, The Moyie Club and an attempt was made at Zip Trip,” said Mike Naumann, detective for the sheriff’s office.

Naumann said that there is a little bit of an offset on the backside of the fake bills and a bit of a double line.  He also said that the paper is not cotton fiber like real bills, the fakes are paper and smooth to the touch. 

“Everyone should be checking $20, $50 and $100 bills,” Naumann said.

Naumann also recommended the same marker Stephens did which can be purchased at office supply stores.  Naumann said if it makes a mark and gets darker, it is a fake, but if the mark fades then the bill is okay. 

“Some merchants have just marked the bill, saw the mark and figured it was real, but that isn’t how it works. We aren’t sure where they are coming from but storekeepers need to be aware,” he said.