THOMASVILLE — Reports of counterfeit bills being used during the holiday season have concerned police enough to warn local shop owners.

Specifically, $20 counterfeit bills have been reported in five cases, according to Toby Knifer, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division commander.

“We’ve seen an increase in $20 counterfeit bills being distributed to various different locations,” he said. “We’re asking that the stores be very aware that they’re in circulation, especially now during the Christmas season.”

Investigators are currently working to identify if the counterfeit bills are being produced locally or just in general circulation. 

“It is a crime to be in a possession of one, but of course, we look at all different angles,” Knifer said.

In some cases, people aren’t aware they’re in possession of a counterfeit bill.

Other than the usual color-shifting ink pens used to check bills, residents are advised to use other methods, such as finding the bill’s watermark, feeling for raised texture of the printing or checking for blurred borders.

“There are bills out there that actually have printed on there ‘for moviemaking only,’ but you have to look at it,” Knifer added. 

Any resident who comes across any suspicious bills is asked to bring them up to their local bank or the police department to get it checked out.