UPDATE: Police Warn of Counterfeit Money Circulating in Haymarket

Update: Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. The Prince William Police Department is reporting that it has recovered $300 in counterfeit money that has been passed to several local businesses since January 19, 2015.

"In each case the suspect has entered the business and made a small purchase and paid with a counterfeit $50 bill," a police spokesperson said. "Police are urging business employees and owners to be on the lookout for the counterfeit money and to contact police if they come across any counterfeit bills."

Prince William Police is also offering advice on how to distinguish counterfeit currency.

Here are a few quick tips concerning counterfeit bills:

• Train your employees on how to spot a fake bill. There are good tips on the U.S. Secret Service website that include looking for the watermark by holding the bill up to the light. There is a denomination line (on one or the other side) of legitimate bills. The line can be seen on $5 bills and up.
• Keep counterfeit detection pens and /or UV light-detection devices at all points of sale. You can get these at most office supply businesses.
• Be especially wary of new bills, and larger bills provided for a relatively small purchase.
• If you detect a fake bill, do not try to apprehend the suspect. Refuse the bill and notify police as soon as possible.
• Do not pass on a known fake bill you have received to another person or business. THIS IS A CRIME.

Original Story: The Haymarket Police Department is alerting businesses and residents that an individual passed counterfeit currency locally over the last two days.

According to Haymarket Police, businesses right outside the town limits have recently been victimized.

Prince William Police are also alerting residents to be on the lookout for the suspect.

He is described as a black male in his early 20s with facial hair, who was wearing a knit hat at the time.

Police are asking businesses to be alert when accepting cash.

Those who have information about the suspect or encounter counterfeit money should call the Haymarket Police at 703-753-2600.