Press release:
The Batavia Police Department is currently investigating the passing of counterfeit $50 bills throughout the area. It is recommended that anyone receiving a $50 bill use extra caution to check its authenticity. The counterfeit bills are very sophisticated and will pass the marker test that most businesses use.
They do have reoccurring fraudulent features that make them identifiable, such as a penciled in security strip on the reverse and a faintly penciled in face on the right side of the obverse (side of the currency note with the head of Grant). They are also missing the microprint security features due to blurring.
If anyone receives a counterfeit or suspected counterfeit bill, or has information in reference to the case please contact the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370.
Only contact the police if
Only contact the police if you can afford to lose your $50 bills. They will be confiscated and there is no reimbursement. Doing the right thing will only cost YOU money. The criminals that made them already got paid. The police that confiscate it are receiving a paycheck also. Everyone involved comes out ahead except you.
Passing counterfeit U.S.
Passing counterfeit U.S. currency is a federal crime.
I'd rather be out the $50 than pay a hefty fine or go to federal prison.
If you try to deposit in your bank account, the bank will discover it's a fake and not count it toward your deposit, so you're still out the $50.
Whereas if you spot a fake $50, you might be able to help police identify the perpetrator and get the person arrested, and thereby doing a good thing for society and allowing you to feel better about yourself as a person of integrity, which is more valuable than a mere $50 could buy. That feeling is priceless.