A Long Branch merchant is warning other small businesses to be on the lookout for fraudsters trying to circulate fake $50 bills in a bid to scam local store and business owners.
The well-known fast food store owner says he has intercepted three fake Canadian orange $50s in the last month from alleged thieves.
He shows one of the fake $50, in which you can feel a clear piece of plastic tape wrapped around the transparent, plastic section of the bill.
“I just take it away from them (fraudsters) and I tell them that I am calling the police,” the long-time area resident says. “They just take off.”
Community officers from 22 Division say they’re coming across many phoney bills and merchants and others have to look closely at the bills that they are accepting from customers.
“These guys are new to the area,” the store owner says. “I haven’t seen them here before.”
Police are warning business owners of an online telephone scam in which a caller claiming to be Customer Service agent claims their company is owned money for outstanding bills and services will be cut off unless they pay up, usually in bitcoins.