WASHINGTON – A rash of counterfeit cash is showing up at Loudoun County businesses.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office says several people have tried to make small purchases with fake $20, $50, and $100 bills in order to get back a lot of change in real currency.

The sheriff’s office says the fake bills will not look as crisp as real ones.

Authorities are asking business employees to take a close look at cash coming in and focus on the detail of the portrait, the seals, and whether the the serial numbers are evenly spaced.

Some tips to spot a fake bill:

• Mark the bill with a counterfeit bill detector pen
• Pay attention to the quality of the printing and characteristics of the paper (details on real bills are typically clear and sharp)
• Review all parts of the bill to include the portrait, seals, border and serial numbers
• Genuine currency paper has tiny red and blue fibers embedded throughout