FOX10 Investigates: Local business receives movie prop money for payment, law enforcement urges vigilance

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – One local business thought they received a 100-dollar bill for payment, but that was far from the truth.

Located off Tanner Williams Road, Bacon’s Country Market opened last November, bringing in a lot of local customers.

According to the owner Haley Bacon, as the same faces came back, she started to gain trust.

However, she said that trust was put to the test when what looked like a legitimate bill, turned out to be a movie prop.

“It was taken to the bank in Lucedale for deposit and they made us aware of it,” Bacon said. “We are not aware of who gave it to us, but honestly, I don’t believe that we were intentionally targeted. We have a very community-based customer base, and I don’t think that anyone gave it to us intentionally.”

After Bacon posted the news to their Facebook business page, the comments were flooded with other individuals who said they have also received fake or counterfeit money.

The Secret Service reported in 2023, an estimated $182 million in counterfeit notes were passed in the United States.

According to Sergeant Lonnie Parsons with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, taking five minutes to check your bills, even if you get it from a bank or a family member, will make all the difference.

“When you’re dealing with fake currency, there’s three main things that you want to focus on,” Parsons said. “You want to focus on the feel of the bill. Does it feel rough? When it comes to higher denominations, you want to tilt the note, it’s going to have reflective properties inside the note.”

Currency is made with 75% cotton and 25% linen.

According to the Secret Service, the 100-dollar bill includes a portrait watermark of Benjamin Franklin that is visible on both sides when held to a light.

Checking the small things that might go unnoticed could save you or your business.

“The last think that you want is to pass a bill and then the responsibility be on you and the law enforcement wondering why you have this bill and why you didn’t report it,” Parsons said.

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