There have recently been reports of counterfeit currency being passed on to booth owners in the Festival Village in Frederiksted, the V.I. Police Department reported.
The Virgin Islands Police Department relayed to business owners the importance of checking all currency that is presented to them. The counterfeit bills being passed on could be circulating in all denominations, according to the police report.
A common “red flag” to look out for is the actual “feel” of the bill. It can be easily identifiable depending on the quality of the counterfeit. This alone often alerts employees to the “fake currency”. Some counterfeit bills have passed the commonly used “marker” test. Oftentimes the counterfeit bills being passed are done so at busy times of the business when an employee may be distracted, the report stated.
The VIPD Economic Crime Unit (ECU) is asking booth owners, businesses, and the
public to be vigilant in checking any U.S. currency that is presented to you. If there are any
suspicions or concerns, please call the ECU on St. Croix at (340) 778-2211, on St. Thomas at (340) 774-2211, or call 911.
