Sequim Police Department reports a number of fake 100-dollar bills began to circulate at local businesses this week.

Multiple reports came in from Sequim businesses and follow a string of counterfeit bills circulating the city last October and November, said Sequim Patrol Sgt. John Southard.

“There is some consistency between the two types of bills,” he said. “The investigation is still fresh, so I can’t say they’re related but they may be connected.”

The recent fake bills have been found at multiple businesses across Sequim ranging from mom and pop shops to big box stores, Southard said.

Sequim Police continue to search for one suspect in one of the investigations, but no arrests have been made, he said.

“We do have a suspect, but there could be multiple people involved,” Southard said.

He said Sequim Police were alerted to the counterfeit bills by an unnamed business and at least one of the merchants was victimized last year and this week.

In his 12-plus years on duty in Sequim, he said finding counterfeit bills have been “pretty infrequent” in the area.

Despite circulating in Sequim, law enforcement agencies in Clallam and Jefferson counties don’t report any fraudulent reports in their jurisdictions.

Undersheriff Andy Pernsteiner with Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said they did have a fraudulent claim last summer but nothing in recent months.

Both Brian King, chief criminal deputy for Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, and Michael Evans, chief of police for Port Townsend Police Department, report no instances of fake bills being circulated either.

Southard said if a fake bill is discovered, to call 9-1-1.

According to the U.S. Currency Education Program at www.uscurrency.gov, to help identify fake bills, people are encouraged to feel for raised print; tilt bills to see the 3-D security ribbon, color-shifting bell in the inkwell, and color-shifting numeral; see under light the security thread, UV security thread, and a watermark of Benjamin Franklin; and see microprinting on each bill.

Southard also recommends using a counterfeit detection pen on larger denominations.

He said the case is an ongoing active investigation.

For more information on Sequim Police Department, call 360-683-7227.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.