Businesses around Pittsburgh should double-check the cash they accept after a couple reports of counterfeit money being used the area.
One local business in the Robinson Twp. area tells KDKA Radio that they were duped by fake money recently.
The bills say “for motion picture use only”, but if you only take a quick glance, it would be hard to notice a difference.
Twenties, tens and five-dollar-bill were used by the scammers at the business.
Additionally, a “motion picture use only” one-hundred-dollar bill was found in the parking area of the Lady Luck Casino at Nemacolin in Farmington.
PA State Police say the owner of the bill can contact them at 724-329-7523.
Robert Pyle, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Pittsburgh Field Office released the following statement to KDKA Radio:
“The U.S. Secret Service Pittsburgh Field Office works diligently alongside our local law enforcement partners to combat counterfeit currency in the greater Pittsburgh area. While the agency does not discuss potentially ongoing investigations, the creation of counterfeit U.S. currency continues to be an issue both in the U.S. and abroad and can have significant negative impacts on residents and businesses in our community. In fiscal year 2025, the U.S. Secret Service seized $18.6 million in counterfeit currency worldwide.
There are many variations of “Movie Prop Money” which contain the phrase “Motion Picture Use Only” or other similar language. Regulations and laws for reproducing U.S. currency can be located on the Treasury Department and U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing websites.
The U.S. Secret Service strongly encourages individuals, retailers, and financial institutions to remain on the lookout for counterfeit currency, as well as learn how to spot the built-in security features in U.S. currency. More information on these features can be found here.
The U.S. Secret Service handles counterfeit cases.
