The Fort St. John RCMP is advising the public and local businesses to remain vigilant after a noticeable increase in counterfeit currency being used in the community. The warning follows a police investigation on November 24, 2025, when a patron at a fast-food restaurant attempted to pay with a counterfeit fifty-dollar bill. When officers examined the bill, they determined it had been created using part of a genuine five-dollar note.
Police say this incident is not isolated. Several similar reports have surfaced in recent weeks, raising concerns that additional counterfeit bills may circulate through the community in the months ahead. The RCMP is encouraging businesses to check bills carefully and be aware of common indicators of counterfeit currency.
Fake bills may include a transparent strip and maple leaf design to mimic real polymer notes, but are often printed on regular paper. In many cases, counterfeiters use security strips taken from lower-value bills, meaning the denomination shown on the strip does not match the printed value. Multiple fraudulent bills may also share the same serial number, since they often replicate a single genuine note.
Retailers are reminded they have the right to refuse payment if a bill appears suspicious. Anyone who encounters a possible counterfeit note is asked to contact Fort St. John RCMP at 250-787-8100 or submit an anonymous tip through Northern BC Crime Stoppers.
