KPD reminds community to remain vigilant against counterfeit money

Published on July 20, 2024

LĪHUʻE – The Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) is reminding residents and businesses to remain vigilant and take preventative measures against counterfeit money.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been 14 reported incidents of counterfeit money being circulated on Kaua‘i. Assistant Chief Kalani Ke emphasized the importance of cooperation between law enforcement and the community in combating the circulation of fraudulent currency.

"We encourage anyone who suspects they have received counterfeit money to report it to the police immediately,” said Assistant Chief Ke. “Timely reporting helps us track these incidents and apprehend those responsible.”

Here are some preventative tips to avoid becoming a victim:

Know Your Money: Counterfeit bills can be difficult to detect without knowledge of security features found in genuine currency. Familiarize yourself with security features like watermarks and security threads.

Verify Bills: Use a counterfeit detection pen or ultraviolet light for larger denominations. Remember, counterfeits come in all denominations.

Trust Your Instincts: If a bill seems suspicious, seek alternative payment.

Educate Staff and Family Members: Train employees to recognize counterfeit bills and establish transaction protocols. Educate your family about the potential risks of fraudulent currency.   

Those who may have encountered counterfeit money or have information regarding these incidents are urged to contact KPD Dispatch at 808-241-1711. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information by calling Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i at 808-246-8300, submitting a tip at cskauai.org, or through the Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i P3 Tips Mobile App.

###