CAMILLA, Ga. (WALB) – A terrifying trick is making its way through Camilla and it’s not Halloween candy.

The Camilla Police Department has issued a public alert after multiple reports of counterfeit $100 bills being passed in the area. According to authorities, the counterfeit cash isn’t made from fake paper, it’s made from real U.S. currency.

Criminals are using a method called “bill washing,” where they bleach lower denomination bills typically $10’s and reprint them to resemble $100 bills.

Because the paper is authentic, these phony bills pass pen tests, fooling unsuspecting cashiers and business owners. However, there are clues that expose the forgery:

How to Spot the Fakes:

• Watermark & Security Thread: Hold the bill to the light. The watermark and thread will not match a real $100 bill. Instead, they’ll show features from the original $10 bill.
• Look & Feel: Watch for odd textures, color mismatches, and poor print quality — all red flags.

What To Do If You Receive One:

• Don’t give it back to the person.
• Do note descriptions of the suspect or their vehicle.
• Call Camilla Police at 229-336-2201 immediately.

Authorities stress the importance of spreading the word to protect the Camilla community from this growing financial threat.

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