Counterfeit $100 bills passed in Guelph

Counterfeit currency seems to be circulating around Ontario this winter, and Guelph police warn that fake $100 bills have been passed in that city this month.

"Since the beginning of February, there have been 15 reported incidents of suspectedcounterfeitcurrency being passed in Guelph," police said Thursday.

In a release, police suggested more could be discovered asbusinesses might still have some of the phoney bills in their cash inventory that has not yet been deposited in the bank.

Verify notes

The Bank of Canada website lists several security features merchants can use to verify $100 polymer banknotes, including raised numbers for the large corner "100," a reflective and colour-changing smaller metallic copy of the large portrait image and an opaque maple leaf with a clear outline.

Police suggest using a "touch and tilt" method to examine the banknotes:"Touch the bills to feel for a raised surface, and then tilt it side to side to see if the security features are engaging," it said.