Counterfeit bills surface in area

Flagler County Sheriff Donald Fleming reported to Historic City News that merchants in Palm Coast are being cautioned to stay alert for counterfeit bills that have been spotted in circulation in the area.

Wednesday, the manager of Wendy’s Restaurant on Palm Coast Parkway reported receiving a counterfeit $100 from a customer who was trying to pay for a meal.

The customer told deputies that he had withdrawn money from his bank account at a local bank and had no knowledge the bill was counterfeit. Upon further investigation, three of the $100 bills in his possession were suspected of being counterfeit.

Last week, the Orlando Regional Office of the Secret Service notified law enforcement agencies in their region of suspected counterfeit bills being circulated in and around the Orlando-Daytona area.

Merchants should check the font of the “Federal Reserve Note”. The counterfeit version is different from the genuine. The Treasury Seal on the counterfeit is also missing part of the key bit and there is a space in the bottom of the shield.

If merchants feel they have received a counterfeit bill, they should contact the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at (386) 313-4911.