Local Woman Charged with Passing Counterfeit Money

The following press release has been issued by Clay County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

On January 31, 2017, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received a report of counterfeit money being used at the Warne Kwik Stop. On the same day, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of counterfeit money being used at the Dollar General in Hayesville. 

Sheriff Vic Davis said Clay County Sheriff’s Investigators immediately began working on the case. It appears someone attempted to pass a $50 bill at the Warne Kwik Stop and someone tried to pass a few $5 bills at the Dollar General. Thanks to the clerk at the Dollar General being quick witted, Investigators were able to get a vehicle and person description of one person that was passing the fake bills. 

Sheriff Davis said it took a little leg work, but after following up on the vehicle information and some other leads, Investigators were able to come up with a suspect that they subsequently charged.

Courtney Lynn Moss, 40, of Warne was charged with Felony Forgery of Instrument. She has already made a $3,000 bond. 

Sheriff Davis said there is always potential for more counterfeit bills to be out there and wants everyone to be aware and vigilant, especially those taking cash at stores. The United States Secret Service has an excellent form that can be downloaded at www.secretservice.gov/data/KnowYourMoney.pdf. This form can be printed and placed where you take money to help determine if you are receiving counterfeit moneys. But here is a summary, U.S. currency uses 75% cotton and 25% linen and has red and blue fibers disbursed throughout the paper, so it will feel different than normal printed paper. Newer bills have off center portraits and watermarks, the watermarks are visible when held up to a light. Everything above a $2 bill has a vertical thread embedded with the denomination number on it. 

​This is just a general overview, but Sheriff Davis would encourage everyone to look at this form to help in identifying counterfeit currency. The information will also be posted to our website and Facebook page. Remember, if you have any information about counterfeit money or any other crimes, please call us at (828) 389-2256, message us on Facebook, or email us at crimetips@claync.org. 

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