DURANGO, Colo. — There's something funny going around Durango, but no one is laughing.
Counterfeit money is being passed around businesses in the southwest Colorado city. The city said in a release they have received seven reports so far this year of fake bills being used. Most of the reports of the counterfeit money have come from places in the North Main District.
The city said the bills range from $10 to $100. The bills have had "For Motion Picture Only," "Copy," "Motion Picture" and "Prop Use Only" written on them.
The bills also had written on them "This note is not legal tender. For motion picture use only."
The city said a counterfeit detector pen would have caught the fakes. They said people who routinely handle money should take a refresher to relearn security features to look for.
Punishment for making, using or dealing in counterfeit money is severe. If convicted at the federal level, a judge could hand down a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and levy a fine of up to $250,000. Convicted counterfeiters could serve up to three years in prison and receive a fine up to $100,000 in Colorado.
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