While today marks April Fools' Day, don't let bogus checks or funny money fool you.
In the first two months of this year, Tucson police reported 140 incidents of bad checks and counterfeit bills, according to crime data released to the Arizona Daily Star.
Counterfeiting includes trying to pass fake bills or fraudulent credit cards. The data show there were 88 bad-check incidents and 52 reports of counterfeit items.
Consumers and businesses can take easy steps to avoid taking a counterfeit bill. Those include checking the portrait and examining the paper on which the bill is printed.
The portrait should look lifelike and appear to pop out from the background. The paper should have tiny red and blue fibers embedded randomly throughout, according to the U.S. Secret Service.
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As for bad checks, business employees can ask to see ID and record important information on the check, such as a driver's license number. Employees also should ask that the check be written and signed in front of them.
Bad-check writers can strike anywhere, but it's up to businesses and individuals to protect themselves, said David McDonald, director of the Pima County Attorney's Office Bad Check Program.
If you're victim of a bad check, the program offers a wealth of resources to help you.
It offers help with collecting on bad checks and has a bad-check guidebook. Call 740-4100 or log on to www.pcao.pima.gov/badcheck .htm
