ARLINGTON — From Jan. 15 to Feb. 21, the Arlington Police Department has recorded seven incidents of counterfeit money being passed at local businesses.

These incidents have been occurring throughout the city of Arlington, including Island Crossing, Smokey Point and the businesses at and around the intersection of Highway 9 and 204th Street.

Arlington city officials report that most of the counterfeit money has been in the form of fake $20 bills, although a fake $50 bill and a fake $100 bill have also been passed.

Arlington Police Cmdr. Brian DeWitt provided a list of indicators that people should keep an eye out for.

“Signs to look for in counterfeit bills would include duplicate serial numbers, a lack of watermarks or tags in the paper, if the paper feels funny or its ink seems slightly different, or if it doesn’t have some of the standard security features such as holograms,” DeWitt said.

The United States Secret Service website at www.secretservice.gov/know_your_money.shtml is designed to help people detect counterfeit currency.

The Arlington Police Department urges you to call 911 immediately if you suspect a fake bill has been passed at your business.