WALMART and Dollar Tree shoppers have been urged to check their dollar bills before buying groceries.
This is because of a crackdown regarding banknotes that have been damaged.
Shoppers who don’t check their currency could experience issues at the checkouts.
Major retailers are said to be clamping down on whether they accept bills from shoppers, according to Vibes.
Notes that will not be accepted include ones that are torn or are missing corners.
Shoppers might find themselves unable to pay for items if they use bills that are discolored.
According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, mutilated currency includes notes damaged by fire, water, or chemicals.
But shoppers shouldn’t despair if they have damaged bills in their wallets—even though they might not be able to spend them in stores.
Unfit or mutilated notes can be exchanged at banks across the nation, according to Treasury chiefs.
Treasury experts have predicted that at least $70 million worth of counterfeit currency is circulating.
But the figure could be as high as $200 million.
Cops have explained the impact that counterfeit currency could have on society.
“Counterfeit bills pose a significant threat to the community as they undermine the integrity of our currency system and can lead to financial losses for businesses and individuals,” Ashley Tokoi of the Riley County Police Department told the NBC affiliate KSNT.
Tokoi warned that trust in local economies could be impacted if fake currency is circulated.
Americans can perform a series of checks before they head to stores to see if they possess a counterfeit bill.
RED FLAGS
If there’s raised printing on the note, it could be a red flag, per Prevail Bank.
Americans can tell if the bill is real by rubbing their fingers over it.
Bank notes also have a watermark that can be seen from either side when they are held to a light source.
Americans who have a magnifying glass to hand should scrutinize the small print.
The serial numbers should also be studied, and bills have colored fibers.
The Secret Service has published a guide that helps Americans understand their money and what to look out for.
Americans who suspect counterfeit currency should report cases to their local police force.
