SEATTLE - $43,000 in counterfeit cash has been confiscated by the Secret Service in Seattle in the past three weeks.
The majority of the fake bills were printed on inkjet printers, says Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bob Kierstead. According to Kierstead, these are mom and pop counterfeiters who are usually motivated by the need for drug money.
"They are not necessarily counterfeiters by trade. They are into a lot of criminal activities, and counterfeiting is just one of ways they try to defraud the public or government," he said.
Since 2003, the Federal Reserve has increased the security features on U.S. currency. Right now, there are 15 unique security features including holograms, microprinting, 3D printing and red-and-blue threads woven into the bills.
Many businesses use the money detection marker. It's a $15 pen that determines if the paper used is real currency or not. The Secret Service warns that these pens are not always accurate.
"The pens I think are inconsistent . You might have false positives," says Kiersten.
Kiersten advices businesses to purchase a $40 UV light that reveals a red line in real bills.
Small business owner Angela Nichols received two fake $50 bills.
"It hurts," says Nichols who runs on thin profit margins. "I am out the merchandise. I am out of the $40 in goods and money. It's just tough."
Back in 2008, counterfeiters targeted a half dozen West Seattle businesses, including Nichols.
Now Nichols inspects every dollar before she puts it in the register. She has this warning for other small business owners.
"Look at your money. Be suspicious, because you never know if it is real or not real," she said.
Nationwide last year, the Secret Service confiscated $69.1 million in fake bills. A majority of the counterfeit cash comes in $20 or $100 bills.
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