The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office says there’s been an uptick in the use of counterfeit money in the area recently.

The Sheriff’s Office received three counterfeit money complaints December 12th. Two of the complaints originated from businesses in Genoa Township and a third report came from a private resident who unknowingly accepted counterfeit money after selling an item on Craigslist. The deputies who responded to these complaints collected counterfeit twenty-dollar bills.

The Sheriff’s Office also received reports of individuals who have passed or attempted to pass “For Motion Picture Use Only” fake currency at local businesses in the Livingston County area. The movie prop fake money looks similar to actual US currency but is marked “for motion picture use only” on the front and back. The prop money typically comes in hundred dollar bills but is available in other denominations.

Businesses and residents are encouraged to check all cash collected for watermarks, security threads, and 3-D marks. Counterfeit detection pens are useful in detecting fraudulent currency as well. Anyone with information regarding the counterfeit money incidents is asked to immediately contact the Sheriff’s Office at 517-546-2440. Reports of suspected counterfeit bills can be made to the Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police or local law enforcement agency.