St Joseph Police and U.S. Secret Service are investigating after a string of local businesses accepted counterfeit currency over the past few days.

Detective Richard Shelton of the St Joseph Police Department Financial Crime Unit says eight businesses have been defrauded with counterfeit $20 bills.

One business received a bogus $10 bill.

“All businesses and financial institutions should have employees checking their currency as they receive it,” Shelton said in a news release.

“Personnel should watch for the color shifting ink on the bottom right of the notes. The ink should go from bronze to green. The bills should also contain a security thread and a water mark.”

For more information on how to check for legitimate notes please go to: http://www.secretservice.gov/know_your_money.shtml

This site was developed and set up by the United States Secret Service. The St. Joseph Police Department Financial Crime Unit works closely with the Secret Service on investigations in the passing, manufacturing or possessing of counterfeit US Federal Reserve Notes.

Serial numbers to watch for are:
* JJ91572229 A Series 2009 $20
* JJ77046053 A Series 2009 $20
* JC13189374 A Series 2009 $10