Counterfeit money has been an issue for years, and its impact continues to be felt in small communities across Canada. Recently, Brandon, Manitoba, has seen an increase in the circulation of counterfeit $20 bills, creating unease among businesses, customers, and financial institutions. As someone who works as a cashier at a local supermarket, I’ve had firsthand experience dealing with these fake $20 bills, and the ripple effects of this issue are undeniable.
Working as a cashier has opened my eyes to the real impact of counterfeit money. About a week ago, while scanning groceries for a customer, I received a $20 bill that just didn’t feel right. At first, I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong, but something about the texture and colour raised alarm bells. I didn’t realize it was fake until closer inspection.
I was shocked. This wasn’t just some hypothetical scenario I read about online; it was happening right in front of me. But it got me thinking, how many fake bills had already passed through our registers unnoticed? How much money had businesses in Brandon already lost because of these counterfeit notes?
While the exact source of the fake $20 bills flooding Brandon is still unclear, many local businesses have reported similar experiences. The issue is particularly concerning because $20 bills are so commonly used for everyday transactions, making it easier for fake bills to circulate without raising immediate suspicion.
If you’re like me and handle cash frequently, knowing how to identify counterfeit bills is crucial. Canadian currency is equipped with various security features that make it harder to counterfeit than other currencies. Some of the key features to look out for in a genuine $20 bill include:
Raised Ink: The large number “20” on the front of the bill should feel raised when you run your fingers over it.
Holographic Strip: Canadian bills have a clear holographic strip on the front with portraits and numbers that should change when viewed from different angles.
Transparent Window: Real $20 bills have a transparent window with intricate details, such as a portrait of the Queen and a building.
UV Light: A real $20 bill will have certain sections that glow under UV light. Counterfeit bills may not have this feature, or the glow will appear inconsistent.
Personally, for me I check for the inclusion of tactile markings, often mistaken for traditional Braille, which helps visually impaired individuals identify the bill. These tactile dots are unique to genuine banknotes, and counterfeit bills often fail to replicate them accurately. Authentic Canadian $20 bills have tactile dots in the top left corner of the front side of the bill. On a real $20 bill, there are three distinct groups of six raised dots. You should be able to feel these dots clearly under your fingertips. Counterfeiters often overlook this detail.
While these features can help, counterfeiters are becoming more sophisticated. Some fake bills may include a mix of real and fake elements, which can make detection tricky for the untrained eye.
The presence of counterfeit money in Brandon is not just an inconvenience, it has real financial consequences for businesses. For every fake bill accepted, that business loses money because they cannot deposit the counterfeit note at a bank. This can quickly add up, especially for small businesses operating on tight margins. Imagine a local bakery or coffee shop unknowingly accepting several fake $20 bills in a week, those losses could significantly impact their bottom line.
But the circulation of fake money doesn’t only hurt businesses; it also impacts consumers. For instance, someone might unknowingly receive a fake $20 bill as change during a transaction. When they try to use that money for their next purchase, they could face embarrassment and frustration if it is detected as counterfeit.
Additionally, consumers might become more hesitant to use cash, opting instead for debit or credit cards to avoid the risk of unknowingly accepting fake bills. This shift away from cash transactions can affect businesses that rely heavily on cash payments.
Beyond Brandon, counterfeit money remains a persistent problem across Canada. According to the Bank of Canada, although instances of counterfeiting have decreased significantly in the last decade due to enhanced security features on polymer bills, it hasn’t been entirely eradicated. Criminal organizations continue to find ways to produce fake money, often focusing on smaller denominations like $20 bills because they’re less likely to be scrutinized as carefully as larger bills.
For communities like Brandon, where the economy is driven by local businesses and personal relationships, the presence of counterfeit money undermines trust. It creates tension between customers and businesses, as no one wants to be accused of knowingly passing a fake bill, but it’s also difficult to prove where the money originated. This erosion of trust can damage the sense of community that small towns rely on to thrive.
Businesses and consumers must remain vigilant. Training staff to spot counterfeit money, investing in detection tools, and reporting suspected fake bills are all critical steps to mitigating the impact of this issue.
It’s time to ask yourself: Do you have fake $20s in your wallet? Be aware, be cautious, and let’s work together to put an end to counterfeit money in our community.