My MIL was given counterfeit money (two $100 bills). She believes it was given to her at her bank of all places and did not realize it until she went to pay for something at a store (the clerk did the marker check and it did not pass - my MIL was mortified).
I have been trying to google what to do but cannot find anything. What would you do? Would you go to the bank and speak to someone and tell them honestly what happened and that you are almost certain it came from them? Honestly, I don't see where else she would have been given such a large denomination other than when withdrawing from the bank. They are "old school" and like to handle everything with cash, they don't even withdraw from the ATM but like to go to the teller.
What do you think they should do? Any suggestions, or personal experiences are appreciated. Thanks!
Thanks everyone for responding. I will be going with her to the bank and police next week once this storm passes. Honestly, I can't tell they are fake. I put them side by side the real thing and the look and FEEL real. To me, the touch is always the dead giveaway, but these things feel real and they even have the watermark!
When I worked in retail, we were actually instructed to tell the customer to take the money to the bank. The police told us (We called one time, when a woman had 2 counterfeit bills), that the bank is supposed to take it and go through the proper authorities. There is nothing the police can do, without info from the bank first.
I agree call the police and the bank. You could also call the Dept of Treasury or FBI, they are actually the people who handle counterfeit money. Unfortunately unless she can prove where she got the money she may be out the $200.
I run a small business and have done flea markets and other outdoor events. I actually have a money pen to check the money when people pay me. They are available at Dollar Tree.
Take it into the bank. They will notify the Feds. Your mum should be able to be reimbursed. Esp if she's not the first (and probably isn't) to have been given counterfeit money through the bank.
(I'm surprised the store didn't call the police. Usually the person 'passing' fake money isn't part of the outfit, it's not a slight on your mum, but most company policies include the teller phoning the police immediately when a counterfeit is discovered.)
Personally, I really like forgeries. I collect them. So I would want to frame one, but that's just me.
yes. talk to the bank. they need to check they're supply.
Call the bank, who will call the police, but unless there's a record of the serial numbers of the bills your MIL was issued at the bank and they match, she is more than likely out the $200, sorry. (This happened to me several years ago and I was accused of trying to bilk the bank!)
all she can do it try. talk to the bank. at the very least hey can help her know how to spot a fake in the future.
Banks are usually pretty hard to trick when it comes to counterfeit money.
I have friends who work at banks and they are on the lookout for it constantly.
They also report anything suspicious that could be considered "money laundering".
She should definitely talk to her bank because they will know who to contact about it, but she might be out the money.
People who counterfeit don't care if anyone else gets harmed in the process. They hope to get their money and run.
We've had counterfeit money turn up in our area and the police report it to the media for everyone to be on watch.
The "look" of bills has changed so much in an effort to make counterfeitting more difficult, but in reality, it makes it harder for the average person to tell the difference.
I hope it works out.
I used to work in a bank and we were to do the marker test on all the bills $50 and over. That is horrible that she has counterfeit money :( Good Luck!
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If her money trail is that clean, definitely go back to the bank. They need to be informed that they have not checked their money themselves.
We had a big neighborhood garage last year and our neighbors sold a ton of stuff to this one guy. And unfortunately, they received counterfeit $100 dollar bills from him. Such scum out there, eh?
Not sure the markers will help if somebody does what a couple "upper-crust" high school students did in town a few years back -- bleached a smaller denom and printed a larger one over it. They did get caught, but bet it wasn't the marker test! (great way to start adult life - with that kind of FEDERAL record)
Learn what to look for and hold the bills up to bright light!
Turn it in to the bank. Explain that was where the check was cashed and where the money came from, they may have an employee passing counterfeit money and not paying attention.
