Sikeston police see more counterfeit money

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston police are reporting an increase in counterfeit money being circulated in the area.

The Sikeston Department of Public Safety has received a number of reports of phony money being used in the past few months at local businesses, according to a news release.

Police suggest businesses purchase special ink pens that can detect the difference between real money and counterfeit bills.

If businesses receive a counterfeit bill, police should be contacted iimmediately and the money should not be given back to the customer. Also, police suggest asking the person who passed the bill to wait for the police or write down any identifying information such as a license plate number.

More information about counterfeit bills can be found on the U.S. Secret Service website, http://www.secretservice.gov/know_your_money.shtml

Anyone with information about counterfeit money may be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to a conviction. Contact the Sikeston Criminal Investigative Unit at 573-471-1500.