Counterfeit money

Question

If I unknowingly pass a fake $100.00 dollar bill, can the merchant keep my fake bill?

Answer 1

Yes. The United State Secret Service actually recommends that a merchant should seize the counterfeit bill, not conduct a transaction, and alert local authorities and/or the United States Secret Service (who handles counterfeit investigations). They actually recommend that the note not be surrendered to anyone but a law enforcement official.

If you unknowingly passed counterfeit money and are investigated for it, I suggest that you retain an attorney during any law enforcement questioning.