Winnipeg police have issued a public advisory about a growing trend of counterfeit cash showing up in the city.

Police have seen an increase in fake currency being circulated in the past couple of months, particularly $100 bills.

Merchants and consumers are urged to check their bank notes and are being reminded that they are under no obligation to accept notes they suspect to be counterfeit, police said Thursday.

Some general security features to look for in both Canadian and American currency are:

• Small green dots or "planchettes" randomly embedded throughout the paper that glow under ultraviolet light.
• Optical security device (small colour change patch) in the upper left hand corner that changes from gold to green when tilted, and cannot be removed.
• Raised (intaglio) printing that can be felt by the touch.
• Watermark portraits are visible when held to the light and should match the portrait on the note front.
• A solid security thread becomes visible when held to light. This is visible from both the front and back of the note.

Anyone who believes they have received a counterfeit note is advised to:

• Inspect it closely and compare it to a known authentic bill if possible.
• If safe to do so, retain the bill and ask the customer for another form of payment. As a consumer, decline the note and request another form of change.
• Try to obtain identification from the suspect, and note a description of the suspect or vehicle plate information.
• Notify police immediately at 204-986-6231 or call Crime Stoppers at 786-TIPS (8477).

For more information on security features of Canadian and American bank notes, check the links on the upper right corner of this page.