Check your wallets: Counterfeit cash making the rounds

A counterfeit $20 bill is shown. (South Simcoe Police)

You might want to look twice at your money.

South Simcoe police say counterfeit currency that very much resembles actual bank notes is circulating our region.

Authorities say the bill should feel smooth and they recommend feeling, looking at and flipping over the bill to ensure smoothness all around, except for some parts which have some tactile roughness around them.

The words, “Bank of Canada,” the large number and the portrait should feel raised. The word, “Canada,” in or around the large transparent window should also feel textured.

Take a close look for holograms, police say. If the bill doesn’t have a hologram, it’s fake, as holograms act as a security feature. The Bank of Canada says the metallic portrait in the large transparent window should match the large portrait on the front of the note.

Ensure all numbers match.

Try to tilt the note. While doing so, colour changes should happen in the metallic portrait.

Finally, police advise comparing the bill in question with an authentic bill.

If you encounter a suspected counterfeit bill at a retail outlet, you can politely refuse it, according to police. They recommend asking for another form of payment and contacting police.