Urgent Warning as Fake Money Surfaces in East Texas

It seems like every few years we hear reports of fake money popping up here in East Texas, and this summer is no different with the ‘funny money’ recently being passed in Rusk.

Counterfeit Money Reported in Rusk, Texas

The details were shared by the Rusk Police Department on Facebook, so we wanted to make sure to pass along the information so no one else becomes a victim. While the fake money has only been reported in Rusk so far, this is something all East Texans should watch for.

Most of us have been busy at work at one point and let things slip by, while this fake money seems like it would stand out and cause some red flags. If you're slammed it would be easy to let something like this slip by.

Several people commented that these bills are often used for bank training purposes and movie productions, but regardless it's floating around East Texas, and we need to spread the word, so people pay more attention as they are counting cash.

Is It Illegal to Possess Counterfeit Money?

While most people completely understand that making fake money is a federal crime, it's also against the law to possess or pass on fake money. If you unknowingly receive counterfeit cash, you may be in possession of it, although criminal liability generally depends on whether you knew it was fake.

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What Happens If You're Caught With Fake Cash?

Each case will be different, depending on if the person caught is actually creating the money or if someone is just in possession of fake bills. But the crime is very serious as using or attempting to use counterfeit money can result in a large cash fine and being sent to prison for up to 20 years. This is your reminder to double-check any cash you receive from individuals or businesses.