Rise in counterfeit bills hits Summit County businesses

Photo: Giorgio Trovato

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public that local businesses have witnessed a significant uptick in counterfeit bill incidents, raising concerns.

Authorities have highlighted several key features to help distinguish between real and fake currency:

• Genuine bills have a textured feel with slightly raised ink, whereas counterfeits often feel flat.
• A watermark, present in real notes, is usually missing from counterfeit ones when held up to light.
• Authentic currency contains a unique blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen with visible blue and red fibers, unlike the standard paper used in fakes.
• Phrases like “COPY” or “FOR MOTION PICTURE USE ONLY” may appear on counterfeit bills.
• Real bills from $5 to $100 feature color-shifting ink on the denomination number, which counterfeits lack.
• Authentic bills have sharp, clear borders and lines, in contrast to the often blurry edges of fake bills.

The community and local law enforcement are working together to educate the public on these distinguishing features to prevent further spread of counterfeit bills. The SCSO is encouraging those who do spot a counterfeit bill to report it to them by calling 435-615-3600.