The Stratford Police Service is warning residents and local businesses to be on the lookout for counterfeit 20-dollar bills currently circulating in the community. The alert follows reports of fake currency being passed at a local business, prompting authorities to urge caution during cash transactions.
Investigators have identified a specific way to spot the fraudulent notes. Unlike authentic polymer bank notes, the fake 20-dollar bills feature a transparent window section that has been glued onto the paper. Police suggest that anyone handling cash should carefully inspect the bills by feeling the texture, checking the metallic features, and looking closely at the details to ensure they are not blurry.
While the Bank of Canada notes that 50-dollar and 100-dollar bills are the most commonly counterfeited denominations across the country, this local incident reflects a wider trend of increased fake currency activity reported throughout Canada in 2026. Authorities remind the public that if you unknowingly accept counterfeit cash as legal tender, you cannot be reimbursed for the loss and remain responsible for the financial impact.
The investigation into these local cases remains ongoing and no charges have been announced as of April 12, 2026. Anyone who comes into possession of a suspected counterfeit note is asked to contact the Stratford Police Service at 519-271-4141.
