Phoney Money..................

@Polly1 (12645)
United States
May 17, 2011 1:56pm CST
I have a major rant to get of my chest, of course I thought of coming to mylot with it. Last night after work I stopped at a local gas station. I only had $100 dollar bill, I gave it to the lady and said I wanted $20 worth of gas. She looked at my hundred like her life depended on it. I had a gut feeling but just figured stores and such have to be careful. She then got in the cash register and put that away and also got some money out of the drawer. She then reached in down below. I had another feeling, I just figured she was getting more money because the stores don't like keeping too much money in their cash drawers. I put the 4 $20's in my purse, got my gas and left. Went down the street to a carryout, had to pick up a few things. I reached in my purse and gave the guy a $20, he looked at it and said it was fake, gave it back to me. I then gave him another one, he said that one was fake again. I was shocked, my stomach fell. I said I just got it from the gas station. I didn't know what to do. I went to the next carry out and asked them to look at the money and tell me if it was fake. They were so nice and looked at it, checked it out. Sure enough, fake money. They showed me how to tell the difference. I then went back to the gas station, the lady was still there. She said she always checked her money that she didn't do that. I believe with all my heart that she knew exactly what she was doing. I called 911, explained to them what happened. They said they could send the police out, all they would do is take the fake money from me. They could not make the store give me back real money. I also talked to the manager, no results there, she stuck up for the girl. She said they would wait for the police to come. I said they weren't coming. She mentioned the owners name, I recognized the name, he also owns the gas station closer to my house. I don't go there because I don't like them people. They are low lifes, they let people sell drugs out of the parking lot. They also have been caught selling boot legged stuff. Now I find out the same people own both places. I am going to have to find another gas station to go to. I stopped at the other place right after this to talk to the owner. His van was there, but supposedly he wasn't there. Yeh right, they warned him I was coming up there to talk to him. By this time it was getting past 9 at night, nothing more I could do. I did call 911 again and ask them if there was someone I could call today to report this. They gave me a number. Next day-today. I called the number, it was a recording-it was the police dept. I also called the US Treasury dept. They said to call the FBI, called them. They said to call the Secret Service, called them. They took my name and number, told me to take the fake money to the bank. The bank would take it, and then send it to them. Basically nothing I could do. I asked the lady thats it, she said what do you want to happen. I said so these people just get away with passing fake money to people and they get away with it. She said none of the agents was available that she would have someone call me. She also told me again to take the money to the bank. On to the discussion. Has anything like this ever happened to you? Have you ever been passed fake money? I know this is a long post, thanks for reading. I am one to look at the bright side of things, at least I didn't get stuck with 4 fake $20's, just 2 of them.
8 people like this
18 responses
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
17 May 11
hi polly It does sound to me like that woman knew exactly what she was doing as most shop owners are taught to know fake money. thats awful and it sounds like she is getting away with it too. that's awful to get by'with passing counterfeit money. I once found a twenty dollar bill on campus so I thought wow I can go buy that blouse I have always wanted to buy. so I picked the blouse out and handed the bill to the clerk. she took one look and made a phone call. In a minute a man a little older than m self was at my elbow. He took out a badge and explained he was an FBI agent and that the bill I gave the clerk was a cou nterfeit one. He asked mw where I got and I told him it was on the s idewalk in front of one of the frat houses on C ampus. He asked me to ride with him to the spot where I found it so I did glad he was not going to arrest me. It turned out that some boys in that frat house were connected to a counterfeiting ring and they were elected to pass out counterfeit mony. they were arrested along with the men who were the actual coumterfeiters. I had to make a check out to get the blouse. so much for found money;.lol.
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
17 May 11
Wow, when I called the cops, I was told they would just take the money and that was about it. No one so far seems to give a crap, just let the crooks get away with it. I believe with all my heart she knew what she was doing. Someone probably passed it to her so she figured she would pas it to someone else. I don't envy her karma when it bites her back.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157485)
• United States
17 May 11
From what you describe I almost thought she was money laundering as a regurlar thing. it worries me that they are letting this go without checking in with you.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
18 May 11
That is still going on? I had heard several years ago that such things happened. No, I have never slipped any fake money. These two gas stations need to be watched and hopeful the FBI and the treasury will take this seriously and get to the bottom of this. Smart of you to stay away from there. I wouldn't give them anymore business and steer others away as well.
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 May 11
They won't get my business again, and I had been going to the one a long time. Didn't go to he other one because I don't like them. Now I find out they are the same, I guess I shouldn't surprise me. So far noboby is doing anything about it, thats why they continue to do it. Nothing happens to the crooks.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
20 May 11
I have been telling everyone that will listen about them crooks. Yesterday I was at the dollar store, I was telling the lady, she said she knows. Someone was in the store a couple of weeks ago and tried to spend a fake $20. She said the lady said she had gotten the money from that same gas station. It seems that they have been doing this regularly.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
19 May 11
Sometimes the cops have their hands full. They may be watching and you just aren't aware of it. They have a hard time proving these things. They have to prove that the fake bills are being spread by them and that they aren't just another victim of it. I would be bugging them. Call them whenever you think of it and ask what is being done. If there has been any arrests. They won't give you many answers but maybe it will put a burr under their sandal. I would let everyone you know know about the creeps.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
30 May 11
Personally this is Sad, and too bad this place you got the FAKE $$ from was not a chain to where you could call their corporate office and report them. The manager could have easily known there was fake $$ being passed thru their and just hoping no one would ever catch it and try and report them. When things are going on like this, it makes everyone look bad, and somehow their needs to be a way to change things.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
31 May 11
Hey Tina, always nice seeing you. The secret service came last week and picked up the fake money. I let them know I wasn't the only victim, that someone else had tried to spend a fake $20 at the dollar store around the corner. I have been telling everyone that will listen about that gas station. They will loose more then the $40 I lost. I used to get my gas there all the time but at a different time of day. I had never seen that person before. I totally believe that she knew exactly what she was doing. Take care Tina....
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 May 11
Apart from the rotten crime that has been done to you and anyone else on the receiving end of these fake notes, it saddens me to see that you don't take any notice of your gut feelings. I'm not criticising but just know that I am the same. If I just had the courage to speak up or act on my gut feelings when I sense something is wrong I could save myself a heap of trouble. I see all the offices you approached shrugging off the responsibility for this crime and that actually frightens me. Is this the way we are headed? Forget the legal side of things...take your story to the media. Suggest an investigation with a hidden camera or something.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
28 May 11
A special agent with the Secret Service came out to my house and picked up the fake money. Hopefully they will look into it and catch the crooks in the act. I think we all need to listen to our guts more often. except we don't always know what its trying to tell us. I had used the $100 because I really needed the change. I'm just thankful I didn't get ripped off for $80, just the $40.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
31 May 11
I do try to look at the positive in whatever, can't dwell on the negative. I'm getting ready to get the heck up outta dodge tonight. After work I am going to my moms, spending the night. Then in the morning we are headed to Virginia, it will take about 14 to 15 hours of driving. My sis lives there and my niece is graduating from high school. See ya when I get back.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
28 May 11
Yeah, it's good when the event doesn't turn into a total fail. Lucky the person who can find something positive in a bad situation. Good on you girl.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
18 May 11
I would be PISSSED!!! Believe me when I say I understand your frustration!!! You know the gas station just might be passing those bills on purpose!!! However, I recently did a discussion about a woman in South Carolina who cashed a check at her bank & went direct to her pharmacy to pick up her prescriptions. Yes, you guessed it...her own bank had given her fake money & she ended up at the police station answering questions. She went back to her bank & spent hours convincing the Manager that she had gotten the fake money from them. The bank Manager finally made her money good. I learned during that discussion that banks do NOT have to make fake money good!!! Now I'm wondering WHY you were told to take them to your bank??? We are having problems here in Georgia of high school kids making $1, $5 & $10. So, NO money is safe anymore!!! It concerns me that bogus bills have so inundated our system that even our banks are passing them!!!!
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
20 May 11
I know that the lady knew what she was doing. Now I am even more sure, I went to the dollar store last night. I told the cashier my story, she said they knew. Someone was in the store a couple of weeks ago trying to spend some fake money, guess where it came from, yep the same gas station.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 May 11
What a terrible thing to happen to you. I can't say I've ever been given fake money but it does go on, unfortunately. Staff are trained to look out for fake money but I guess some places (like the one you went to) actually DEAL in fake money on a regular basis and I've no idea what I'd do in your situation. It was bad enough here getting my money back when my bank account got hacked over the internet (the bank tried blaming me) so I do sympathise. As for petrol stations..hubby has stopped visiting the one near our house as he reckons the pumps are rigged! Say he wants to buy £10's worth of petrol the counter ALWAYS jumps to just over so he's overcharged by a couple of pence. Granted, that isn't a lot but if it happens to EVERYONE buying petrol it soon mounts up doesn't it? He tried remonstrating with the proprietor of the petrol station but got nowhere..bit like you with your fake money.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
18 May 11
It's not something we do is it? Check our money. I know our notes have silver strips running down them and watermarks, etc. It is very rare I see anyone checking them and it's also very rare I have £50 notes on me, unfortunately.
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
18 May 11
Wow. That is horrible that it happened to you. I have never had that happen to me before. I think they should have done more about to make sure you got all of your real money due to you, back.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 May 11
I think so too, it is so wrong. I hope it never happens to you, its horrible.
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
18 May 11
That is absolutely ridiculous, and yes obviously the girl knew what she was doing. I would have no remorse for those owners. I would have kept the two fakes and went for gas paid with these bills on a different day then left. Meanwhile I would so not shop there again. What goes around comes around dear friend, they'll get theirs one fine day!!! Take care.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 May 11
I so believe in karma, what goes around comes around. That lady will get hers. I have had several people offer to pass that money on, I tell them no. I can't do that, its wrong and I surely don't want that on me. I still have the bills, the Secret Service want them. I am just thankful it wasn't more money that I lost.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
17 May 11
You know what I think happened? The girl KNEW that was fake $20. bills and wanted to get rid of them so she could pocket the money! How low can one go?! That's the same as stealing!! My husband said if it were him, he'd be right out front of that place and let everyone know what they did! They'd lose business for sure which is just what people like this deserves! I'm SO sorry this happened to you!! I hope you do get your money back some how!
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 May 11
I don't expect to be getting my money back. I can guarentee they will loose much more then the $40 they ripped off from me. Its a local gas station and lots of people I know go there. I am telling everyone my story, they will loose business. I believe with all my heart that she knew exactly what she was doing. Thanks Cats...
1 person likes this
@my52cents (569)
• United States
17 May 11
What a fiasco. I'm so sorry you're going through it and you've lost so much money. I recently saw a piece on the local news that stated clearly that if you get fake money, the bank can't replace it with real money. Instead, it gets turned over to the Secret Service (they're the agency who handles counterfeiters) and you take the loss. It certainly sounds as if you were purposely given fake money. There's probably more being done behind the scenes than you are aware of, though, so hopefully one day you will learn that the bad guys have been taken down. I guess that's another good reason for me to use plastic instead of cash, but since counterfeit money seems to be circulating pretty widely these days, I will make an effort to get any cash that I need directly from the bank, and in small bills.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 May 11
You have to even be careful at the bank. I was telling a friend of mine my story today. He said this happened to him at the bank. He was given a fake $50 bill from the bank. He had tried to spend it and the store caught it. He got lucky the bank exchanged the fake bill for a real one. It sure is a fiasco, I never had anything like this happen to me before.
@dawnald (85130)
• Shingle Springs, California
17 May 11
Geez, what a big, fat pain in the neck! another reason why I don't like dealing with $100 bills.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 May 11
I like the smaller bills too, thats why I paid with a hundred, I wanted to get smaller bills. I really got some smaller bills, some that are worthless. They look so real too.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
17 May 11
OMG!! as if gas is not expensive enough. so you lost that money and nothings being done about it. never had that happen, but if son has it happen, there will be hell to pay. he will likely end up in jail. so sorry. hope you can figure how to get these people in jail where they belong.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 May 11
I wanted to make a big scene but I was a lady, an upset lady. I got too let several customers know that they passed fake money to me. I am also telling everyone I know what happened too.
@kint98 (8)
• United States
17 May 11
I can understand your dilemma. However you can let others know the location of this gas station by posting it on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks. More power in numbers should you choose this venture. Good luck!!!
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 May 11
Thanks, I do plan on getting the word out. They will loose much more then the $40 they ripped me off of.
@jujunme (2501)
• United States
18 May 11
I also believe the woman knew exactly what she was doing.The thing that gets to me is,you did nothing wrong and yet you're the one who is out $40.00. Since this seems to becoming an all too common practice of people passing out fake money, i believe something needs to be done in assuring that those who are innocently duped, will not be the ones who lose out, even though i have no idea how this can be implemented, it's just so unfair. if i were you i'd be picketing that gas station and telling everyone about your experience, i just can't abide them getting away with this, especially since i feel you were not the first person they did this to.Very sad.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 May 11
I so agree with you. I'm not giving up. I couldn't believe the attitude of the person I talked to at the Secret Service, like it was no big deal. What the heck, $40 is alot of money. I don't think its fair neither, I will be doing my best to get some results.
@GardenGerty (157485)
• United States
17 May 11
Okay, I am lost, did she give you four fakes and you gave them out, or did she give you two fake and two real?I hope your calls have put people up to the fact this is going on and will get them investigated. They are such big crooks.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
17 May 11
She gave me 2 fakes and 2 real $20's. I had tried to spend one of the $20's not knowing it was fake. So far my calls aren't doing anything, I'm not giving up. I can't believe that the people I have talked to act like its no big deal. They just get away with it.
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
17 May 11
You could go back & buy gas with the same fake $20 they gave you?
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
17 May 11
Thats an idea, but no can do. I won't lower myself to that level. I don't rip anyone off. I surely don't want the kind of karma hanging with me. Anyway I would probably get caught and go to jail.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
17 May 11
Hi. Polly1 I totally sympathize with you on this one. You know at at first I thought that the woman thought that you was giving them a fake $100.00 bill. Although, I knew that you really wasn't. But it turns out that the cashier gave you fake money back. What kind of cashier is this? It seems like she was saving the real money and she gave you the fake money that was supposed to be the remainder of change that is left out of your $100.00 bill. These people gave you the run around for real, there is no doubt about that! I don't blame you for being persistent and that is what you have to do in situations where someone is trying to fool you, like you don't have good sense! I am glad that you contacted the US Treasury Department, Secret Service and the FBI too. I hope that they will make the cashier and the manager pay for what has happened. I also wonder if someone else as a customer gave them this fake money too? If not, then the cashier and the manager was behind the entire thing as well. This is very dishonest here. When a person is a cashier they are supposed to be honest at all times. They are not supposed to try to deceive the customer at all. I wonder if they have pulled this same stunt on another customer too. Hmmmp!!! If so, this customer has probably given another store fake money that they did not know about too. Sad! I have been in a situation in 2007 that was similar to this. I signed up with a work at home program online. And I ended up receiving 3 money orders for $300.00 And I to took them to Walmart to get them cashed. Well, as the cashier looked at the money orders she told me that they were fake. I had to send this money to certain people that lived in foreign countries. This was a part of my job. Once I have done this, I was supposed to send proof to the leader. Bogus!!! Well, the money orders were all fake. I felt like a criminal standing in Walmart's money order line. I was so embarrassed like crazy! So, I talked to the woman and told her who sent this to me and why. She said that this was a scam because someone else sent in fake money orders like this a while back at the store. She saw that I was telling the truth and she recommended that I contact the police department about this. So, I went to the police department and I turned the money orders into them. I gave them the email message about whom I was supposed to send the money orders to, and whom I was to report back to afterwards. The police clerk wrote down this information and he said that he would be getting into contact with the person who had me doing this job. I was working for a company and I had to report back my information back to a guy also. It was a huge mess because I almost got placed into jail for doing something that I did not do. I had fake money orders and I had no idea that I did. I was so scared after that. I emailed the guy back and I told him that the money orders that he sent to me was fake and that I no longer wanted to do business with him ever again. I told him that there was no need to expect the money back, because the police have it and they are doing an investigation on the fake money orders. So, I was supposed to get 10% out of the deal. Well, I ended this really quick. People are evil in this world and it is a shame that innocent people are caught up into their lies and deceitfulness! Take control of your situation, Polly1. Don't let the cashier and the manager make a fool out of you. Let them know that what they have done is illegal into providing you with fake money!
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
18 May 11
My sister almost got scammed exactly like this. She sent me the info to check out. I let her know it was a scam not to get involved with it. They called it a secret shopper. There are really secret shoppers out there. I guess they figured using that term people wouldn't catch on. Its horrible that there are people like this. I have been doing my best to get the word out about this gas station, I will keep it up as long as someone will listen to me. Glad you didn't get ripped off. Thanks for stopping by..
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
17 May 11
Very interesting story! Sorry you lost out money on the whole ordeal. And I could imagine the authorities not wanting to help you for that amount. And I guess the only way you could fight back, is to not go to that gasoline station anymore. Have you tried the newspaper? Maybe they could put a spotlight on the gasoline station, so others would stay away too.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
17 May 11
I don't plan on giving them my business anymore and I will tell everyone that will listen that they give out fake money. Since this just recently happened I am not sure on my next move. Thanks for stopping by.