Milwaukee area businesses taking precautions against counterfeit money
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Feds say they were caught making and distributing a lot of funny money in Milwaukee. Now, businesses are implementing different strategies to protect themselves.
Inside North Avenue's Beauty Supply Dollar Store, their business is 40% cash, and store General Manager John Yum has seen his fair share of funny money.
There is a lot more counterfeit money around Milwaukee right now, after four individuals were charged in federal court -- accused of bleaching $5 bills and turning them into $100 bills and distributing about $25,000 worth of this counterfeit money.
"That's the one that can pass the pen test because it is actually a $5 bill. When you hold up to the light you actually see a holographic Abraham Lincoln instead of Benjamin Franklin," Yum said.
Yum says stores like his can do a number of things to protect themselves, but educating employees about real bills is key.
Yum says another simple way to not get stuck with bad bills is to purchase a money scanner. The device costs between $50 and $100 at stores like Sam's Club.
"This is the real 20 and you rub it across and it'll make a noise that's real. This is the fake 20 and you rub it and you won't hear anything no matter where you rub it," Yum said.
The fake $100 bills will have the same holograms as an actual $5 bill.