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Key West, FL - Key West residents and local businesses are being warned after fake $20 bills were found circulating in the area.
The Key West Police Department issued a public advisory after discovering several of these bills being used at local establishments.
The counterfeit currency is not legal tender but is instead prop money intended for use in films and motion pictures.
These prop bills are marked with the words “For Motion Picture Purposes” rather than the standard “The United States of America.”
They also feature an image of Andrew Jackson with a distinctive smirk, which differs from authentic $20 bills.
Authorities note that attempting to use these bills as real currency could result in criminal charges, as passing counterfeit money is illegal.
The police department urges residents and business owners to carefully inspect cash when making transactions.
Suspicious bills should be reported to local law enforcement.
For verification, any questionable bills can be brought to a bank, where staff can confirm whether the currency is genuine.
By remaining vigilant, the community can help prevent the spread of counterfeit currency.
The department emphasizes that even though the bills are clearly marked for motion picture use, they are not to be treated as real money.