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Counterfeit $20 bill in the Tip Bucket?
- Thread starter 51PRI
- Start date
I think the right thing is what the law says...if you pass it, your'e guilty. Just throw it away save yourself a visit from the secret service, as we all know that was their first assignment to stop counterfeit money, not protect humans...
Turnaround
Commercial User
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
I voted 'other' - because if YOU do anything to actually spend/circulate the currency, you're as liable as the other people who passed it around in the first place.
Happened to me 12+ years ago when I got paid for a gig on the road in Charleston, SC. Got my pay at the end of the night - cash out of the drawer for each of us in the band. After I got home and counted again for the 3rd time I noticed that a $20 felt weird. Looked at it under better light and it was undoubtedly a fake.... and not a very good one at that. In crappy bar light, I'm sure the person handling cash before it made it to us never even noticed. It was a counterfeit of an older style bill from the early/mid 90s before a lot of the newer color markings, threads, watermarks, etc. were implemented. I put it in a 'gig souvenirs' pile and never looked at it again. As much as it sucks, you have to be the one to stop the chain of it getting passed around or you're seriously liable. At least it was just a $20 and not a higher denomination.
Happened to me 12+ years ago when I got paid for a gig on the road in Charleston, SC. Got my pay at the end of the night - cash out of the drawer for each of us in the band. After I got home and counted again for the 3rd time I noticed that a $20 felt weird. Looked at it under better light and it was undoubtedly a fake.... and not a very good one at that. In crappy bar light, I'm sure the person handling cash before it made it to us never even noticed. It was a counterfeit of an older style bill from the early/mid 90s before a lot of the newer color markings, threads, watermarks, etc. were implemented. I put it in a 'gig souvenirs' pile and never looked at it again. As much as it sucks, you have to be the one to stop the chain of it getting passed around or you're seriously liable. At least it was just a $20 and not a higher denomination.
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Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,796
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
Don’t do a change machine. There are cameras and if it’s fake and you get money back, now you’re in intent to defraud territory and this thread establishes that you thought it might be fake.
Take it to the bank if you ever go and have them check it, probably not worth a special trip. Or just destroy it if you think it’s more than likely fake. You have the bill, you make the call.
Take it to the bank if you ever go and have them check it, probably not worth a special trip. Or just destroy it if you think it’s more than likely fake. You have the bill, you make the call.
The usual weekly band complaint has made it's debut. This isn't difficult! Take it to the bank and have it checked. If its fake, tell them thank you and move on. There is no intent to fraudulently use the bill right now. But possible guilty knowledge is an issue. You've already admitted it may be fake. Get it checked, forfeit if fake!! Sheesh.
As the recipient of a counterfeit bill in the past (about 20 years ago), I will tell you what I found out and what I ended up doing.
In my case it was a $5 bill received in change from a fast food restaurant.
Once I figured out it was counterfeit (the vending machines at work refused to take it, it felt weird, and it was missing the security strip). I started looking into what I should do with it. I found that if I tried to spend it, I could be charged with passing counterfeit currency...even if I didn't know it was counterfeit. Keeping it was risky, as it might expose someone else to charges should they take it and try to spend it. I tried calling the fast food place that gave it to me and the manager simply laughed and hung up on me. The only other option was to turn it in.
I contacted the regional Secret Service office and they verified that it was, indeed, one of a batch of counterfeit bills that were done in Texas. They had believed they had accounted for all of them, and she was very surprised that I had received it in change in NW Arkansas. She instructed me to place it in an envelope and provided an address to send it. I believe the stamp was 42 cents at the time, so I was out $5.42.
Given your situation, I would likely do the same thing I did back then and turn it in to the Secret Service.
In my case it was a $5 bill received in change from a fast food restaurant.
Once I figured out it was counterfeit (the vending machines at work refused to take it, it felt weird, and it was missing the security strip). I started looking into what I should do with it. I found that if I tried to spend it, I could be charged with passing counterfeit currency...even if I didn't know it was counterfeit. Keeping it was risky, as it might expose someone else to charges should they take it and try to spend it. I tried calling the fast food place that gave it to me and the manager simply laughed and hung up on me. The only other option was to turn it in.
I contacted the regional Secret Service office and they verified that it was, indeed, one of a batch of counterfeit bills that were done in Texas. They had believed they had accounted for all of them, and she was very surprised that I had received it in change in NW Arkansas. She instructed me to place it in an envelope and provided an address to send it. I believe the stamp was 42 cents at the time, so I was out $5.42.
Given your situation, I would likely do the same thing I did back then and turn it in to the Secret Service.
Bring it to your bank and tell them you got a counterfeit bill. They’ll report it to the authorities. If you have a ring pushing counterfeit currency in your area and the feds are alerted, the increased heat will make the people pushing fake bills move their operation elsewhere.
Most counterfeiters will quit an area pretty quickly once they know the federal authorities are on to them. The government takes counterfeiting very seriously and will do a full court press to stop it once they’re alerted. And the penalties are pretty severe for anyone caught doing it.
Most counterfeiters will quit an area pretty quickly once they know the federal authorities are on to them. The government takes counterfeiting very seriously and will do a full court press to stop it once they’re alerted. And the penalties are pretty severe for anyone caught doing it.
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Yeah, go down to the laundromat. If it's counterfeit, you'll know. If it's real, you'll have wash money or parking for days.
?
What should I do with this bill that I suspect might be counterfeit?
This poll will close on Apr 19, 2024 at 12:26 PM.
Considering what inflation has done to the USA Dollar, all $20 bills are pretty close to counterfeit.
Inflation Calculator
Inflation Calculator
If in (enter year) 2024
I purchased an item for $20
then in (enter year) 1963
that same item would cost: $1.98
Cumulative rate of inflation: -90.1%
What should I do with this bill that I suspect might be counterfeit?
This poll will close on Apr 19, 2024 at 12:26 PM.
- Spend it quickly?
- Take it to the banl for their opinion?
- Alert the authorities?
- Put it in with the rest of my gig money and forget about it?
- Other
Considering what inflation has done to the USA Dollar, all $20 bills are pretty close to counterfeit.
Inflation Calculator
Inflation Calculator
If in (enter year) 2024
I purchased an item for $20
then in (enter year) 1963
that same item would cost: $1.98
Cumulative rate of inflation: -90.1%
Many years ago, I paid for lunch at a Chinese restaurant with a twenty I had just gotten from an ATM. As I'm getting in my car, the manager runs out screaming at me that I gave her a counterfeit bill. She shows me this obviously poorly duplicated twenty and demands a real twenty or she will call the police. I knew that was not what I paid her with and was tempted to call her bluff, but I had no way to prove my case. Rather than risk an afternoon in a police station or worse, I conceded to her scam. I did tell everyone I knew about her antics so she lost way more than twenty dollars of business from her scam. I do wonder how many times she's pulled that stunt.
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Many years ago I delivered pizza. There was one customer that didn't tip but would hand out something similar to that. It said something like, "I know many people in the restaurant industry are on drugs, and I will not be contributing to your drug habit....give your life to Jesus."
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,796
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
I agree with keeping it in the tip jar to "prime the pump." We do that, only with a real Lincoln or Hamilton.
Call Secret Service, not local law enforcement or FBI, and for heavens sake DO NOT try to spend it.
