Tri-City residents and retailers are being advised by the RCMP to closely inspect any bills they receive, after a rash of fake $100 polymer notes have been found circulating in the Lower Mainland.
"The [counterfeit] bills are here in the local area," said Coquitlam RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jamie Chung. "I notice there are a couple files on these fake $100 billsthat we received."
Chung is advising people to go to the Bank of Canada website to familiarize themselves with what a real $100 bill looks like.
"That's the best way to prevent one of these fake bills from ending up in your hands," he said, adding he's not sure if there are any machines out there that read the new $100 bills.
The BC RCMP, who put out the counterfeit cash alert this week, are reminding the public to check two or more security features on all bank notes they receive.
"Protecting the economic integrity of Canada is one of the five national strategic priorities for the RCMP," said Sgt. Duncan Pound, RCMP federal media relations officer for B.C.
Anyone with information about counterfeiting should contact the federal RCMP at 778-290-4510, or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.bccrimestoppers.com.
Training materials on counterfeit detection are available by calling the Bank of Canada's toll-free number at 1-888-513-8212 or through their website at bankofcanada.ca/banknotes.
Here are the security features and tips for inspecting the new $100 polymer bills:
