Reported by:
Joe Ducey Email:
jducey@abc15.comAs economic concerns rise, more consumers are trying to pass fake bills to pay things like utilities or to buy groceries and other essentials. Authorities say that's usually the domain of drug dealers, according to USA Today.28% more counterfeiters were arrested in 2008 over 2007. It's the highest number since 2004 says the Secret Service, which safeguards the nation's currency.
Counterfeiters passed $64.4 million in fake cash. That's a 5% increase over 2007. That too is the highest amount since 2004.
The Secret Service says they're seeing more students using counterfeit $20 bills to buy pizza. They also see more people using fake bills to buy gas to get to work.
Authorities say recent cases include one in Milford, Michigan. Detectives investigated a 15 year-old boy for allegedly photographing currency with a scanner copier and passing it off at his high school cafeteria.
Earlier this month in Georgia, USA Today says banks found counterfeit $20 and $100 bills in merchant deposits.
Authorities say new technology involving printers and scanners has made it easier to make the fake bills look more real.
