Counterfeiters are always looking for an opportune moment to pass off their fake bills without being caught. Here are a few ideal situations where a counterfeiter will most likely choose his or her prey.
Young, Inexperienced Salespeople
Stores that employ young kids ages 14-17 are most susceptible to being targeted by counterfeiters. The obvious reason being that most young people don’t have much experience with handling money, or with telling the difference between a real or phony bill. They also are usually the ones that don’t really care, they are just doing what they are told—take money, give change, give product. It is imperative that owners of these stores—usually small Deli’s, movie theaters, and family owned businesses, train their young employees in the proper way to examine money, and supply them with counterfeit pens and examples of real money so that they can detect fake bills easily.
Crowded Events or Busy Stores
Another haven for counterfeit money scammers is any event or location where there is a crowd of people. The crowd acts as a buffer for the counterfeiter to pass many bills without being detected, or to make his or her escape easily if their plan goes awry.
Also, stores that are full of activity will give counterfeiters a fine chance to pass their bills. Being that the store is so busy, most cashiers will be frustrated and try to take customers as quickly as possibly. Therefore, they will be less likely to check every bill closely before putting it in the register. Christmas season is also a perfect time for this scenario to play out according to the Secret Service . That is because of the hustle and bustle of the store creating pressure on the cashiers to ring up orders quickly and seasonal workers who aren’t properly trained in money detection. It is also a time when counterfeiters become bolder with the denominations, using $100 bills more frequently. That is because around the holiday season it is more accepted and common to see a customer pay with larger bills.
Distracted Street Vendors
Street vendors, such as hot dog and clothing vendors, are also frequently victimized by counterfeiters. They are thought of as an easy target because in many cases they are more desperate for a sale, are distracted by activities going on around them outdoors, and are eager to close sales when there are people waiting around their table. Street vendors should be very cautious about anyone who seems too eager to buy their products, especially large quantities of product, or who hands them a bill that is folded up or crumpled. A simple, quick swipe of a counterfeit detection pen on each and every bill they receive would serve to ease this particular business owner’s mind.
Transactions Involving Illegal Activity
Most counterfeiters will take advantage of a situation where an illegal transaction is taking place. As they say, there is no honor among thieves. In a minor illegal transaction, the money and product is exchanged pretty furtively, not giving the seller a chance to inspect the bill before parting ways. The counterfeiter makes out with the illegal product, while the seller is stuck with the fake bill, and can do nothing about it as far as help from a law enforcement agency. Instead of throwing the fake bill away, they will usually try to pass it off to some other unsuspecting person, and the cycle will continue until an honest person is taken in the scam.
Counterfeiters realize that another person participating in an illegal activity doesn’t have many choices, which is why they will actively pursue this opportunity to gain something from their own illegal operation.
Use Common Sense
Recognizing these ideal scenarios where counterfeiters thrive will serve as a valuable warning to most businesses and individuals. Good common sense, the proper tools, and a certain amount of justifiable paranoia will allow a business owner to protect his business from being taking advantage of by sneaky yet increasingly innovative counterfeiters.
