Phony Money: Be Careful at Christmas Time

Learn how counterfeit money finds its way into your pocket.

Phony Bills Passed in New Lenox; Tips for Identifying Authentic Cash

Watching your money closely doesn't mean to tighten your belt.

So far in September, New Lenox police have been called twice by businesses that unwittingly took in counterfeit bills. On Sept. 8 employees at the Barber's Chair on Route 30 near Vine Street took in a $10 counterfeit bill, and Walmart lost $100 to a phony money scam on Sept. 1.    Deputy Chief Robert Pawlisz said counterfeit bill passing is a sporadic problem in New Lenox, and the amount of loss varies. Most retail stores have detector pens at the cash register, and the clerks are trained to carefully eye ball $100 and $50 bills. The problem is that counterfeits more often than not come in the form of $10 and $20 bills, he said. The counterfeiters know how to take advantage of a situation. They wait for a busy evening or Saturday to pay …

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