Counterfeit Bills Circulating In Oakland County

Oakland County businesses and residents are being advised to stay alert after reports of counterfeit currency.

On October 10, 2025, the Charter Township of Highland, Michigan, issued a warning about counterfeit $100 bills, with incidents reported in both Highland Township and Milford.

The statement notes that the scammers involved often purchase inexpensive items with the fake $100 bills to get real money in return.

It’s likely that if any surveillance footage exists from the locations where the counterfeit bills were used, authorities have already obtained it.

In the meantime, local authorities are urging all businesses to remain alert and carefully inspect any cash they receive, especially larger denominations, for signs of counterfeiting or irregularities.

We strongly encourage all businesses and employees to be cautious when handling large denomination bills, particularly $100 notes.

Between the nonstop scam calls, fake emails, and now counterfeit cash appearing in local businesses, it feels like there is always a new scheme to watch out for.  Will it ever stop?

Unfortunately, the answer to that question is most likely no.

If you suspect or know for sure that you received a counterfeit bill(s), police ask that you do the following,

• Do not confront the individual who gave you the counterfeit cash
• Keep the money if you can do so without being harmed
• Call authorities

It is important to remember that counterfeit currency is not limited to Oakland County; it can surface in any community across Michigan, from large cities to small towns, and at businesses of all types.

Maybe we should all start carrying counterfeit detection pens?