Understanding Counterfeit Canadian Currency and the Law

Author

Reads 1.2K

Banknote Lot
Credit: pexels.com, Banknote Lot

Counterfeit Canadian currency is a serious issue that affects the economy and individuals alike. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), in 2019, they seized over $1 million in counterfeit currency.

The RCMP works closely with the Canadian Bank Note Company to identify and track counterfeit bills. This collaboration helps to stay one step ahead of counterfeiters.

In Canada, it's a crime to possess or pass counterfeit currency, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.

Identifying Genuine Money

Canadian money has a number of identifying characteristics and security features that can help you detect possible counterfeits. The Bank of Canada has released various series of bills that have slightly different security features.

One of the security features to look for is the raised print on the paper. Genuine bills have a unique texture and feel to the touch.

The Frontiers series in circulation as of December 2019 has a distinctive security thread that glows pink when held under UV light. This thread is woven into the paper and is a reliable way to verify a bill's authenticity.

Expand your knowledge: Us Currency Security Features

Credit: youtube.com, How to Spot Fake Bills

Genuine Canadian bills also have a unique scent that's often described as fresh and clean. This scent is a result of the special paper used to print the bills.

The Bank of Canada has taken steps to make it harder to counterfeit Canadian money. As a result, counterfeit bills are becoming increasingly rare.

What to Do with Counterfeit Money

If you suspect you've received counterfeit Canadian currency, don't panic. You can try to verify the authenticity of the bill by checking for a security thread, a hologram, and a unique serial number.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the primary agency responsible for investigating and prosecuting counterfeiting cases in Canada. If you believe you've received a counterfeit bill, you can contact your local police department or the RCMP's Canadian Counterfeit Currency Analysis Centre.

Report the incident as soon as possible to prevent further circulation of the counterfeit money.

What to Do

If you've been handed counterfeit money, the first thing to do is to stay calm and not panic.

Credit: youtube.com, How Counterfeit Money Actually Works | How Crime Works | Insider

Don't try to use the counterfeit money or attempt to pass it off as real, as this can lead to further complications.

Report the incident to the local police department or the business where you received the counterfeit money.

You can also contact the Secret Service, as they are responsible for investigating cases of counterfeiting in the United States.

Keep a record of the incident, including the date, time, and details of what happened, as this can be useful for the investigation.

If you've already used the counterfeit money, don't try to cover up the tracks or make excuses, as this can make the situation worse.

Instead, come forward and be honest about what happened, as this will help to resolve the situation more quickly.

100 Mile House RCMP Seize

The 100 Mile House RCMP seized counterfeit Canadian currency, specifically $50 and $100 bills, in a recent arrest. The suspect was found with a large amount of what appeared to be Canadian currency, but upon closer inspection, the officer noticed that some of the bills were counterfeit.

Credit: youtube.com, These Counterfeit Bills Are Good Enough To Fool Detection Pens

These fake bills were made out of paper, not plastic, and had foreign writing on them, which is a clear indication of their authenticity. This type of counterfeit currency does not include the protective elements found on the money coming from the Bank of Canada.

The suspect was also found with a quantity of real Canadian currency, $550 in $50 and $100 bills, which makes it easy for someone to pass off the fake bills as real. The RCMP are recommending businesses check each bill they receive prior to accepting them for payment.

Here are some indicators of counterfeit currency to look out for:

  • Look for the number 5 on the bill instead of the correct denomination number ($50 or $100).
  • Check the clear plastic window on the bill for the correct denomination and holographic picture of the face.
  • Look for a slight ridge along the clear plastic window where the plastic has been spliced together.
  • Check the polymer strip for the correct number to match the bill.

By being aware of these indicators, you can help prevent the circulation of counterfeit currency in your community.

Prevention and Warning

Be wary of counterfeit Canadian currency, especially $50 and $100 bills. The RCMP in Salmon Arm, B.C. and 100 Mile House have issued warnings about these fake bills.

Credit: youtube.com, Fraud Prevention Month - Counterfeit Money

To identify counterfeit bills, look for the hologram in the clear plastic window on the bill. The clear window should have the denomination of the bill in the hologram and the holographic picture of the face on the bill.

Here are some indicators of counterfeit bills:

  • Look for the number 5 on the bill, instead of the correct denomination number.
  • Check for a slight ridge along the clear plastic window where the plastic has been spliced together.
  • Verify the number in the polymer strip matches the bill's denomination.

Businesses are recommended to check each bill they receive prior to accepting it for payment.

Raised Ink

Raised ink is a security feature on Canadian bills that can help you identify genuine currency. There are two areas where you should be able to feel raised ink when you rub the bill between your fingers.

The large number value on the front of the bill is one of these areas. For example, you should be able to feel the outline of the large "20" printed on the front of a $20 bill.

The words "Bank of Canada" and "Banque du Canada" on the front of the bill are also raised. This is another area to check when verifying the authenticity of a Canadian bill.

To verify the raised ink, simply rub the bill between your fingers. If the ink is raised, you should be able to feel it.

You might enjoy: 20 Dirhams

RCMP Warns Salmon Arm Residents

Close-Up Shot of a Person Holding Bills
Credit: pexels.com, Close-Up Shot of a Person Holding Bills

Police in Salmon Arm, B.C. are warning residents to be cautious of counterfeit $50 and $100 bills.

The fake bills were detected in local business bank deposits, but are easily detectable at the point of sale.

A driver of a stolen vehicle associated with the counterfeit bills escaped capture on Tuesday after police tried to stop the vehicle with a spike belt.

Some suspected counterfeit bills were found inside the vehicle, and police are still searching for the driver and another individual who fled in a black Dodge or Chrysler Neon.

To identify counterfeit bills, look for the following signs:

  • Check the hologram in the clear plastic window on the bill - it should have the denomination and a holographic picture of the face.
  • The fake $50 and $100 bills have the number 5 on them, instead of the correct denomination number.
  • There may be a slight ridge along the clear plastic window where the plastic has been spliced together.
  • The major indicator is the number in the polymer strip - look for the correct number to match the bill.

For more information on anti-counterfeiting security features, visit the Bank of Canada website.

Elements of Counterfeiting

Counterfeiting involves creating fake currency that resembles or is intended to resemble real money.

The Bank of Canada reports that most counterfeiting is done using colour copiers and ink-jet printers, making it easier to produce fake bills.

You can be charged with making or attempting to make counterfeit money, and possessing it carries the same maximum prison sentence as actually forging it.

The Bank of Canada estimates that 80 percent of banknotes in circulation are polymer, making it more difficult to counterfeit money.

What Is Counterfeiting?

Credit: youtube.com, Counterfeiting: How Fake Money Actually Works

Counterfeiting is the act of making or altering currency to resemble real money, with the intention of passing it off as genuine. This can include using colour copiers and ink-jet printers to create fake bills.

The Bank of Canada reports that most counterfeiting is now done using colour copiers and ink-jet printers, making it easier to create fake currency.

The $100 bill is the most commonly counterfeited polymer banknote, while the $20 bill in the older series is most often forged. The Bank of Canada estimates that 80 percent of banknotes in circulation are polymer.

Counterfeiting can have a significant impact on businesses, particularly those with slim profit margins. For example, a store owner who operates on one to two percent profit margins must sell $5,000 to $10,000 worth of goods to recoup the loss incurred through a single forged $100 bill.

Explore further: 1 850 000 Krw

Elements of Conviction

To prove you're guilty of counterfeiting, the Crown prosecutor must show that the currency in question is counterfeit.

Crop anonymous male in sterile glove demonstrating different paper bills with image of President and colorful illustrations with numbers near white wall at home
Credit: pexels.com, Crop anonymous male in sterile glove demonstrating different paper bills with image of President and colorful illustrations with numbers near white wall at home

The prosecutor must prove that you had the intent to defraud or trick another person or entity. This means they need to show that you knew the money was fake and you were trying to pass it off as real.

To win a conviction, the prosecutor must also prove that you had the knowledge and the tools to create the forgery. This could be evidence of how you obtained or created the counterfeit currency.

You could argue that you didn't intend to defraud or deceive anyone with the counterfeit currency. You might claim that you didn't know it was a fake or that you were coerced into playing a part in its production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will ATM accept counterfeit money?

ATMs use advanced security features to detect and prevent counterfeit money, including magnetic ink detection and electronic template comparisons, but it's still possible for some counterfeit bills to pass through

What is the charge of counterfeit money in Canada?

In Canada, creating or possessing counterfeit currency is a serious offense under s. 448 of the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum 14-year prison sentence.

Tasha Kautzer

Senior Writer

Tasha Kautzer is a versatile and accomplished writer with a diverse portfolio of articles. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she has successfully covered a wide range of topics, from the lives of notable individuals to the achievements of esteemed institutions. Her work spans the globe, delving into the realms of Norwegian billionaires, the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, and the experiences of Norwegian emigrants to the United States.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.