Counterfeit bills are circulating through Winnipeg, and business owners are being advised by the RCMP to closely check out $20, $50 and $100 bills.

The RCMP has received reports of counterfeit bills since May 13, 2009, but most were detected only once they'd reached banks in Winnipeg. It appears they were passed at a variety of local businesses including restaurants, gas stations and sporting goods, clothing and department stores, according to the RCMP.

The bills are all from the "Canadian Journey" series with images on the front of MacKenzie King (on the $50) and Sir Robert Borden (on the $100) and the Queen (on the $20).

Tips for identifying fake bills

The most obvious signs that these bills are counterfeit can be found on the left-hand side of the front of the bill. A genuine bank note from this series has a metallic, holographic vertical stripe. On the counterfeit bills, the stripe has been attached and appears to be from a $5 or $10 bill of the same series.

The edge of the stripe appears blue or purple and does not match the colour scheme of the genuine bills. The hologram stripe also shows the number 5 instead of 50, or 10 instead of 100.

On the counterfeit $20 bill, the stripe is not holographic at all.

Genuine currency also has raised ink or "intaglio" printing, meaning it feels thicker to the touch, especially on the large numerals, the portrait, coat of arms and image of the Parliament buildings.

Those bills also contain a watermark or "ghost image" of the portrait in the approximate centre of the note, which can be seen when you hold the bill up to the light.

Educate employees

Business owners should counsel staff on what to do if they suspect currency to be counterfeit, the RCMP suggests.

The method of payment in any transaction has to be acceptable to the seller, so a business may refuse to take currency suspected to be counterfeit. Employees should note a description of the person and phone police immediately.

It may be that the individual in possession of the bill is unaware that it is counterfeit but police will conduct an investigation to determine that.

The RCMP also wants to remind the public that anyone who knowingly passes a counterfeit bill is committing a criminal offence and is subject to prosecution. Anyone who comes into possession of a bill suspected to be counterfeit should contact police.

For information on what to check for on bills, click on the link to the Bank of Canada's website at the top right of this page. The website has very detailed information available on the security features of the "Canadian Journey" series.