Northwest Iowa — Though they apparently haven’t shown up in our four-county area of northwest Iowa yet, they may be headed this way. I’m talking about counterfeit currency, but the latest batch finding its way into parts of northwest Iowa is different than what’s been seen in the past.
Within the past week or so, police in Storm Lake and Spencer have reported people passing movie prop money.
In Storm Lake, the counterfeit notes were fifty-dollar bills, with hundred-dollar bills cropping up in the incidents in Spencer. In each case, the bills were marked “For Motion Picture Use Only” on the front of the bill, with “Cinematic Use Only” emblazoned on the back of each bill. While these bills are believed to be movie props, someone has been passing them off as legal tender currency.
People, and businesses in the area, should take a close look at the bills they receive, especially fifties and hundreds, to make sure the money isn’t counterfeit.
