Northern Ont. OPP warn public to watch for fake currency

A police image of a counterfeit $100 bill used to pay a taxi in Moosonee, Ont., in March 2026. (Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

Ontario Provincial Police are alerting residents and businesses to watch for counterfeit currency after a fake $100 bill was reportedly used to pay a taxi fare in the northern Ontario community of Moosonee last week.

The James Bay OPP detachment said the incident occurred on March 25, the same day a fake $20 bill was discovered in Moose Factory First Nation.

“While the investigation could not proceed due to insufficient evidence and an unclear timeline, this incident serves as an important reminder for residents and businesses to stay vigilant when handling cash,” OPP said in a social media post on Monday.

Police have released images of the counterfeit bill to help the public identify similar fraudulent currency.

Police officials in Blind River and Elliot Lake have also reported the use of counterfeit bills this month.

How to spot fake banknotes

Police are encouraging residents to familiarize themselves with security features found on genuine Canadian currency. All current Canadian banknotes are made of smooth polymer and contain multiple tactile and visual markers.

The OPP provided the following tips to help identify counterfeit money:

• Canadian banknotes are made of smooth polymer (plastic), not paper
• Raised ink can be felt on the portrait, large “100”, and “Bank of Canada”
• Transparent windows should be clear, with sharp metallic details
• Look for hidden features, like the “100” in the maple leaf when held to light
• Multiple bills with identical serial numbers are suspicious
• Blurry print, poor quality, or wording like “Prop Money” are warning signs

What to do if counterfeit currency is suspected

The OPP has also outlined steps for members of the public to take if they believe they have been presented with a counterfeit note:

• Politely refuse the note.
• Ask for another form of payment and check it.
• Encourage the person to have the bill verified by police.
• Report the incident to your local police.

Further information on counterfeit prevention is available through the Bank of Canada website.