Currently circulating in Falls County

Anyone coming into contact with money containing Chinese letters or symbols should beware — it’s not real currency. These bills are “training money” created to help bank employees in China become familiar with foreign currency. The Chinese characters stamped on the bills reportedly explain the bills aren’t real currency or intended for circulation, but that isn’t much help to anyone who doesn’t understand the characters. The Falls County Sheriff’s Office encourages you to check all bills thoroughly if you are accepting cash for payment. It is not illegal for someone to simply possess the fake cash. It becomes unlawful when they try to use it and pass it off as authentic currency for goods or services. (See photos at left for distinctive markings.)