News : Counterfeit $100 bill presented at Vinton convenience store

Sometime before sunrise on Dec. 26, a man walked into Ehlinger's Vinton Express and tried to pay for some purchases with a counterfeit $100 bill. However, the clerk on duty, Becci Sloan, noticed that the bill looked suspicious, in many ways. She then verified that it was counterfeit by using a pen designed with ink that turns dark brown or black if applied to counterfeit bills. Sloan told the man she was not allowed to return it to him, and notified the Vinton Police Department. According to the VPD, counterfeit bills are reported about five or six times per year in Vinton. Officials remind those who accept cash for payment to become familiar with the security features of each currency, and to also have on hand a counterfeit detector pen. Those are available at office supply stores, including Vinton's Monkeytown. Click HERE to see a demonstration of the security features of the $100 bill, on the U.S. government currency page.