Counterfeit money circulating in the Wabash Valley

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - In this tough economy, people are doing everything they can to hang on to their money.

However, some are trying to cash in by going around the system.

As one Vigo County woman found out, counterfeit money is a steady problem, even in the Wabash Valley.

If you were asked to examine two $20 bills and tell which one was real and which one was fake, could you tell them apart?

It's a question Debbie Hartman didn't think she'd need to ask while holding a yard sale last weekend.

"We did really good," Hartman said. "We made really good money, and so at the end of the day, we split our profits."

But when her husband tried to spend that money, they got a shock.

"I thought he was kidding," Hartman said. "I thought 'what?' He goes, 'yeah you know that money you gave me?' Yeah. He goes, 'I went to spend it. It's counterfeit.'"

News 10 followed her and her daughter as they took it to the Vigo County Sheriff's Department.

When we got there, Sheriff Greg Ewing wasn't surprised by their story.

"We have seen a slight increase this year than over previous years when I look back over our records," Sheriff Ewing said.

According to officials, the main bills of choice for counterfeits are $20's.

Ewing says stores normally check the larger bills, letting the smaller ones get through at times. 

He says there are things you can do to catch fake money.

"The feel," Sheriff Ewing said."That's when you're gonna first take the money and it's not going to exactly feel right."

He also says to look for the watermarks.

For example, Sheriff Ewing had News 10 look at a $100 bill he had in evidence.

It may look normal, until you hold it to the light.

Ben Franklin and Abraham Lincoln, probably shouldn't be sharing the same bill.

A dead giveaway.

"If you knowingly pass counterfeit money, you could be subject to arrest," Sheriff Ewing said.

So if you find out your green isn't the real thing, give it to authorities and get it out of circulation.

Hartman may be out some money, but at least this imposter is off the streets.

Sheriff Ewing says if you do have yard sales frequently, getting a counterfeit detection pen would be a good investment.

To learn more about protecting yourself from fake money, click here .