Police in Coastal Maine Warning About ‘Prop’ Money Being Passed at Local Businesses

According to an article on the WCSH 6 website, businesses and residents in the Damariscotta area are being urged to keep a close eye on cash after police received reports that movie prop money has been passed as real currency.

According to the Damariscotta Police Department, the fake bills closely resemble legitimate U.S. money but contain markings that identify them as props rather than legal tender.

Some of the counterfeit $100 bills include phrases such as “For Motion Picture Purposes,” “This Note Is for Motion Picture Purposes. It Is Not Legal Tender,” “Prop Money Inc.,” and “In Props We Trust.”

Police said prop money is commonly manufactured for use in films, photography, training exercises, and other entertainment purposes.  While simply possessing the bills is generally legal, attempting to use them as genuine currency is not.

Officials are encouraging businesses, cashiers, and residents to carefully inspect any cash they receive, especially $100 bills. They recommend checking both sides of the bill for wording that identifies it as prop money and verifying the security features found on authentic U.S. currency.

Anyone who believes they have received suspicious currency is asked to retain the bill, if it can be done safely, and contact the Damariscotta Police Department.

Police said the warning is intended to help prevent local businesses and residents from suffering financial losses due to the circulation of fake bills.