The Damariscotta Police Department is warning area businesses and residents to be on the lookout for fake $100 bills like this movie prop, recently passed at a local business. (Maia Zewert photo)
The Damariscotta Police Department is warning area businesses and residents to be on the lookout for fake $100 bills.
Last week, a fake $100 bill was used at a local business. The business did not identify the bill as fake until the end of the day, long after the transaction, according to Officer Erick Halpin.
The fake bill is a movie prop, and can be legally purchased online. The individual who used the bill was not aware that it wasn’t authentic, Halpin said.
The bill is the same size as and is similar in appearance to a genuine $100 bill, but there are some noticeable differences. The fake bill contains notes saying “for motion picture use only” and “this note is not legal, it is to be used for motion pictures.”
In addition, Benjamin Franklin has a different expression on the fake bill, which depicts Franklin with a raised eyebrow.
At a quick glance, however, the bill could be mistaken for the real thing, Halpin said. Similar incidents have been reported nationally.
“With tourist season coming up, we want to make folks aware this stuff is going around, and to be extra diligent when accepting cash,” Halpin said.
