Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Counterfeit Money Release

As the city prepares to host the annual Quadrangle Festival, and Four States Fair, the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is also preparing to handle the reports of forgery and counterfeiting that accompany these events. Officers and detectives are working closely with vendors in an effort to raise awareness of the potential criminal activities that can occur at these events.

The Criminal Investigation Division of the police department will be issuing forms to vendors which have been provided by the U.S. Secret Service. Several changes to the appearance of U.S. currency have been made recently and these forms contain identification information for both counterfeit and authentic bills. New security features include watermarks, ultraviolet security thread, and color shifting ink.

Anyone operating a sales booth during either of the upcoming events is encouraged to examine any suspicious bills that are presented. Counterfeiters will often times attempt to simulate wear and tear on their bills by wadding them up and unfolding them, or even wetting the paper and allowing it to dry. Look for smeared ink, poor quality printing, and keep in mind that authentic currency is not printed on paper, but rather a special type of cloth.

Any questions may be directed to the police department and more information on counterfeiting is available online at the U.S. Secret Service website.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.