Counterfeit bills being circulated in local businesses

LAKE CITY, Fla. -- The Lake City Police Department has issued a warning that counterfeit bills are being passed through local businesses.

Police are saying that several Lake City businesses have seen counterfeit money being used to make purchases, or an attempted to make purchases. 

On 10 separate occasions there have been reported of such incidents since July 15. Businesses at eight different locations said customers came in and paid for items with counterfeit cash. Some were turned away after the business refused to take the money.

"Our investigators are working hard to apprehend the suspects who are committing this counterfeit operation in our community," said Lake City Police Chief Agatha Gilmore. "We need our business owners to be proactive and to be alert to any suspicious activity as they exchange currencies in their businesses. Don't hesitate to call us and report the suspicious activity."

Lake City police recommends local businesses take a few extra seconds and feel the bills, check for known security measures in the currency and utilize their counterfeit ID pens.