Police are warning the Austin Chamber of Commerce and businesses to be on the lookout for counterfeit bills after a fake $100 bill was found on the floor of the Austin YMCA. The bill was made of different paper than real bills and contained Asian logograms on both sides.

According to Mower County Chief Deputy Mark May, counterfeit bills have come through Mower County before, including several fake $20 bills that were passed around at last year’s Mower County Fair. Producing and using counterfeit bills is a felony.

Despite the obvious flaws in the bill found at the YMCA, May said that counterfeit bills can  be overlooked, especially during busy times. He said the best way to determine whether or not a bill is fake is to use a verifying pen or to search for the metal strip in the interior off the bill.

If you see or receive counterfeit dollar bills, contact the police department at 507-437-9400.