Road Town, Tortola -  The Internal Audit Unit, under the Premier’s Office, is asking business owners, vendors, government departments and the wider public to be on the lookout for counterfeit money, especially $20, presently in circulation throughout the Territory.

The unit is also appealing to revenue collectors and frontline staff of organisations to become more knowledgeable about detecting counterfeit currency and the subsequent steps to take.

Speaking with the Department of Information and Public Relations, Deputy Director Mrs. Dorea Corea said, “The advent of new copying machines and digital imagery allows counterfeiters to make fake money more easily than in times past. Persons who handle money must now be more vigilant as counterfeits are becoming much harder to identify.”

Mrs. Corea is urging persons to be more security-conscious in their handling of funds. In a memorandum sent to government ministries and departments, Assigned Director of the Internal Audit Unit Mr. Wendell Gaskin stated, “A counterfeiter relies on the unsuspecting or inattentive person to successfully pass counterfeit cash in commerce. It is important to be aware of the features of genuine currency in order to protect your organisation from assuming the loss of any counterfeit money you accept.”

Persons who encounter counterfeit money are encouraged to immediately contact the nearest police station and file a report. Counterfeit bills should not be returned to individuals. Persons should delay the individual; observe identifying or distinguishing features and those of any companions, and their vehicle license plate number.

The unit is also encouraging persons to write their initials, date and time in the white border areas of the suspected counterfeit money and place the bill(s) in a protective covering such as an envelope or clear plastic bag to limit handling.

For more information on detecting counterfeit bills, the Internal Audit Unit is encouraging persons to visit the United States Secret Service “Know Your Money” webpage at www.secretservice.gov/money_detect.shtml.

The Internal Audit Unit functions as the vanguard of Government operations with responsibility for inspection, investigation and integrity testing to ensure operational financial compliance and performance.