Community Alert: Counterfeit $20, $50 and $100 Bills Circulating in Acadian Peninsula, N.B.
The Caraquet RCMP is advising residents and business owners that counterfeit Canadian banknotes are currently being reported across the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick. Over the past several days, police have received multiple complaints involving fake cash, with a focus on higher-value bills.
The reports involve suspected counterfeit $20, $50, and $100 notes being used in day-to-day transactions. The RCMP is urging anyone who handles cash—especially retailers, restaurants, fuel stations, and small businesses—to take extra care when accepting bills and to report any suspicious currency to police.
Official Details from Caraquet RCMP
According to the official information from the Caraquet RCMP:
- Police have received several reports in recent days of counterfeit Canadian currency circulating in the Acadian Peninsula.
- The bills of primary concern are denominations of $20, $50, and $100.
- The counterfeit notes are being passed in regular, often quick transactions where the person accepting cash may be distracted or in a rush.
While the RCMP has not publicly released images of the counterfeit bills in this alert, they are reminding the public that genuine Canadian polymer banknotes have several security features that should be checked whenever a bill seems unusual or is received in a hurried situation:
- Raised ink – Authentic notes have areas of raised ink you can feel with your fingers, especially on the large numerals and key text.
- Transparent security window – Real bills include a clear window with metallic elements; the portraits and details in this window should appear sharp, not blurry.
- Metallic portraits and features – The metallic images should be crisp, firmly embedded in the note, and not appear as stickers that could peel away.
- Serial numbers – The serial numbers should be evenly spaced, consistently printed, and free from obvious alterations or misalignment.
If you receive a bill that feels wrong, looks altered, or raises concerns, you are encouraged to trust your instincts and verify the note before completing the transaction. Counterfeiters often rely on speed, busy environments, and inattentive checks.
How to Report Suspicious Bills
The RCMP is asking for the community’s help to track and stop the spread of these counterfeit notes. If you encounter a suspicious bill or have information that could help the ongoing investigation, please contact:
- Caraquet RCMP Detachment: 506-726-5222
- Crime Stoppers (anonymous tip line): 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
- Crime Stoppers Online: Submit a secure tip through www.crimenb.ca or via the P3 Mobile App.
When reporting, try to provide as much detail as possible, such as where and when the bill was received, any description of the person who presented it, and whether you still have the note in your possession.
Residents and business owners in other parts of New Brunswick, including communities with similar economic profiles such as Acadieville crime statistics and safety data and Beaubassin East / Beaubassin-est crime and safety information, should also remain alert, as counterfeit activity can move between nearby regions.
CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective
From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, counterfeit currency incidents may seem non-violent, but they have a direct impact on local businesses, employees, and families across New Brunswick. A single fake bill can mean a real financial loss to a small business, and widespread circulation erodes trust in day-to-day transactions. Staying informed about trends like counterfeit money is an important part of building safer and more resilient communities.
We encourage all cash-handling staff to receive basic training on bill verification, to keep counterfeit detection tools readily available where possible, and to slow down during transactions when a high-value note is presented. If you suspect a bill is fake, do not put your safety at risk: keep the note if you can, note details about the person who used it, and contact police as soon as it is safe to do so. Community vigilance and prompt reporting help law enforcement identify patterns, locate suspects, and reduce further financial harm.
Official Source & Community Safety
This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the new-brunswick community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.
Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.