COUNTERFEIT BILLS REPORTED IN LOUISIANA

LOUISIANA — The Louisiana Police Department is warning residents and local businesses after counterfeit bills were recently discovered circulating in the community. Officials say the fake currency has shown up in multiple instances, prompting a push to educate the public on what to watch for.

Police say several of the counterfeit bills include obvious warning signs, such as the word “COPY” printed directly on the bill or markings that do not appear on legitimate U.S. currency. In some cases, the bills also contain unusual stamps, foreign text, or phrases like “For Motion Picture Use Only,” which immediately indicate the money is not real.

Authorities are also urging people to pay close attention to how bills feel and look. Real currency has a distinct texture, while counterfeit bills may feel too smooth, too thick, or too thin. Printing quality is another key indicator, with fake bills often showing blurry details, washed-out colors, or poor alignment. Serial numbers that appear duplicated across multiple bills are another red flag.

Police recommend comparing suspicious bills with known legitimate currency, checking for security features like watermarks, color-shifting ink, and embedded security threads. Anyone who believes they may have received counterfeit money is encouraged not to pass it along and to report it to local law enforcement.

The Louisiana Police Department is asking anyone with information or who encounters suspicious bills to contact them directly at 573-324-6136.