By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – Counterfeit money has been more of a problem than usual in at some Uptown Normal businesses recently. That’s why Busey Bank held a meeting this week with Uptown business owners to give them tips on identifying fake money.
“Each bill is different so you can’t really say that one particular thing applies to all the bills,” said Busey Vice President and Branch Manager Ann Ulitzsch. “The portrait itself, on the bills, really should appear to be raised a little bit and stand out from the background of the bill.”
Ulitzsch explained the bill’s serial number can be one indicator.
“That serial number on a genuine bill should be, of course, evenly spaced, very precise,” said Ulitzsch. “Counterfeiters often will have uneven spaces between those serial numbers. They won’t be uniformly lined up.”
Ulitzsch said it’s important for businesses to find the false money right away because if it gets to the banks and is identified it will be confiscated, meaning the business will have to take the loss.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
