FARK.com: (7333712) Wait a second, one day Walmart is tearing up real 100's the next they are handing out fakes

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		Wait a second, one day Walmart is tearing up real 100's the next they are handing out fakes (news.yahoo.com)		59
		More: Fail, fake bills, EBT

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9461 clicks; posted to Main » on 18 Sep 2012 at 1:40 PM | Favorite | share:

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xanadian		2012-09-18 12:58:24 PM

Warning: Video alert.

gopher321		2012-09-18 01:24:46 PM

Warning: People of Walmart alert.

timujin		2012-09-18 01:24:55 PM

I'd say this is more bad publicity for Wal-Mart and maybe they'll do something about it, but I get the impression they don't really give a shiat about their image.

Two Hearted		2012-09-18 01:43:45 PM

Why would she go to another store to buy cleaning supplies? Was Walmart completely out of cleaning supplies?

Straight to doom		2012-09-18 01:44:57 PM

They should be handing out those fake hundreds as paychecks to their employees, at least then they'd be being honest about it.

/Worked there for a month.
//Hated every second of it.

182		2012-09-18 01:45:54 PM

warning: 47% alert

Eirik		2012-09-18 01:48:41 PM

The nylon up-noting strip that embedded in all current US currency glows a different color under black-light depending on denomination. Is it really that hard to develop some kind of machine for retailers like Wal-Mart that can quickly read what that strip is supposed to be as an anti-counterfeiting measure? I was under the impression that those were nearly impossible to counterfeit.

From WikiHow:
"Hold the bill up to a black light. If authentic, the security thread in the bills will glow: the $5 bill glows blue, the $10 bill glows orange, the $20 bill glows green, the $50 bill glows yellow and the $100 bill glows pink."

G.I.R.B.		2012-09-18 01:50:16 PM

Two Hearted: Why would she go to another store to buy cleaning supplies? Was Walmart completely out of cleaning supplies?

Minards has better prices.

Arkanaut		2012-09-18 01:50:36 PM

Why are they even handing out $100's? Not enough $20's on hand? That seems like poor planning for a store the size of a Walmart.

Harry Freakstorm		2012-09-18 01:51:03 PM

If I got stuck with a fake hunnered, I'd find someplace to break it. Even if I have to go to the strip club and buy a couple of drinks and a lap dance from Starry (just to make it look legit, dear).

Reminds me, I gotta go to that Walmart and break that thousand dollar bill.

ICDedPpl		2012-09-18 01:51:43 PM

Similar thing happened to me. Just not at a WalMart, but a bank.

Walked into a bank (which holds the account for the check I received) with a check for $800 to cash it in. Bank gave me $800 in cash and put it in an envelope. I then took the envelope to another bank to deposit the cash. After I got home, I noticed that the bank had only put $700 in my account, not $800. After I left the bank, the teller noticed that one of the $100 bills had been fake, filled out the appropriate forms and sent it off to the secret service.

Technically it was a real bill. A $5 bill bleached and reprinted. So it passed the pen test.

I can't prove that the other bank gave me that bill, nor can I prove that the rep at the second bank didn't do a switcheroo on me. So I was just out the $100.

Lesson learned.

Dow Jones and the Temple of Doom		2012-09-18 01:53:30 PM

So is this the new $2 bill at Taco Bell?

Arkanaut		2012-09-18 01:55:14 PM

By the way, does anyone who works retail ever bother the Secret Service for counterfeit currency? That's what you're supposed to do according to their FAQ's, but it seems likes too much of a bother for both us and the customer.

TV's Vinnie		2012-09-18 01:56:37 PM

I would just use debit cards and not deal with having the hassle of cash in the first place. That way, -Walmart cannot slip me any funny money nor accuse my legit bills as being fake.

Then again, the best solution of all is to not shop at Walmart at all, period. Problem Solved.

Arkanaut		2012-09-18 01:57:16 PM

Arkanaut: By the way, does anyone who works retail ever bother the Secret Service for counterfeit currency? That's what you're supposed to do according to their FAQ's, but it seems likes too much of a bother for both us and the customer.

By "us" I meant the retail chain I used to work for -- I helped write a big chunk of the cash handling procedures for their store manual.

otto the bull		2012-09-18 01:58:56 PM

I wouldn't be surprised that the toilet paper aisle at WalMart has rags-on-a-stick.

Eirik		2012-09-18 01:59:20 PM

ICDedPpl: Similar thing happened to me. Just not at a WalMart, but a bank.

Walked into a bank (which holds the account for the check I received) with a check for $800 to cash it in. Bank gave me $800 in cash and put it in an envelope. I then took the envelope to another bank to deposit the cash. After I got home, I noticed that the bank had only put $700 in my account, not $800. After I left the bank, the teller noticed that one of the $100 bills had been fake, filled out the appropriate forms and sent it off to the secret service.

Technically it was a real bill. A $5 bill bleached and reprinted. So it passed the pen test.

I can't prove that the other bank gave me that bill, nor can I prove that the rep at the second bank didn't do a switcheroo on me. So I was just out the $100.

Lesson learned.

Not exactly the same, but this reminded me of why I don't use ATM's to deposit cash anymore. When I was in college, I deposited some paltry amount (like $60) into my checking account only to get a letter a few days later that adjusted my deposit because I had only actually put in $40. I grumbled about it, but decided that I must have screwed up.

A few weeks later, same thing. An ATM deposit of cash was magically $20 short. I complained to the bank, but they just shrugged their shoulders.

That was probably 20 years ago, and a $40 lesson learned. If I'm depositing cash, I go to a teller and have them count it out.

Fark Rye For Many Whores		2012-09-18 02:02:19 PM

Aren't governments the biggest counterfeiters of each others' money? I thought I read somewhere North Korea was hitting American money pretty hard... Yeah here it is.

Witchyman		2012-09-18 02:04:06 PM

I don't know, this seems fishy to me.

She can't use her EBT card to swipe it when buying the cleaning supplies at the other store?

Can't buy it there at Wal-Mart?

Doesn't pass the smell test to me, I'm afraid.

Eirik		2012-09-18 02:04:47 PM

Arkanaut: By the way, does anyone who works retail ever bother the Secret Service for counterfeit currency? That's what you're supposed to do according to their FAQ's, but it seems likes too much of a bother for both us and the customer.

The Payless Drugs I worked for as a teenager didn't bother when someone passed a really poor counterfeit at the store one night. The paper was way too heavy (almost card stock, IIRC) and the ink on the back had actually run a bit. It was embarrassing. I think the Assistant Manager on duty didn't call the Secret Service because he was the one that took it. I suspect he just put $20 of his own in the till and destroyed it.

emersonbiggins		2012-09-18 02:05:06 PM

Two Hearted: Why would she go to another store to buy cleaning supplies? Was Walmart completely out of cleaning supplies?

Am I the only one who can read between the lines?

Meth.

She was buying cleaning supplies to make meth. I'm not surprised Walmart ran out of stock.

Dr.Knockboots		2012-09-18 02:07:52 PM

I cannot view the video but..

-Got her change back in one $100.00 bill? Why would you do that?
-Went to another store to buy cleaning supplies, when Wal Mart already has cleaning supplies

This smells fishy..

balki1867		2012-09-18 02:10:07 PM

Eirik: ICDedPpl: Similar thing happened to me. Just not at a WalMart, but a bank.

Walked into a bank (which holds the account for the check I received) with a check for $800 to cash it in. Bank gave me $800 in cash and put it in an envelope. I then took the envelope to another bank to deposit the cash. After I got home, I noticed that the bank had only put $700 in my account, not $800. After I left the bank, the teller noticed that one of the $100 bills had been fake, filled out the appropriate forms and sent it off to the secret service.

Technically it was a real bill. A $5 bill bleached and reprinted. So it passed the pen test.

I can't prove that the other bank gave me that bill, nor can I prove that the rep at the second bank didn't do a switcheroo on me. So I was just out the $100.

Lesson learned.

Not exactly the same, but this reminded me of why I don't use ATM's to deposit cash anymore. When I was in college, I deposited some paltry amount (like $60) into my checking account only to get a letter a few days later that adjusted my deposit because I had only actually put in $40. I grumbled about it, but decided that I must have screwed up.

A few weeks later, same thing. An ATM deposit of cash was magically $20 short. I complained to the bank, but they just shrugged their shoulders.

That was probably 20 years ago, and a $40 lesson learned. If I'm depositing cash, I go to a teller and have them count it out.

I actually had the opposite experience withdrawing money. I took out $100 but the machine only gave me $80. I complained to the bank and they fixed it. Honestly, I was shocked.

Fixer		2012-09-18 02:12:51 PM

One of two things.

Either cashier took a fake $100 and didn't check it, then ended up giving it to this poor slob

OR

Step 1. Cashier keeps fake $100s for just these types of situations.
Step 2. Gives slob fake $100 and pockets real $100
Step 3. Profit

Im thinking its the second one...

blatz514		2012-09-18 02:15:12 PM

Dr.Knockboots: I cannot view the video but..

-Got her change back in one $100.00 bill? Why would you do that?
-Went to another store to buy cleaning supplies, when Wal Mart already has cleaning supplies

This smells fishy..

Hence why she needed cleaning supplies.

URAPNIS		2012-09-18 02:15:17 PM

This is why I carry a fake bill detection marker with me.
I check each and every bill returned to me as change.
Then I hold each one up to the light to check for the security strip.
One can never be too careful.

Random Bastage		2012-09-18 02:16:43 PM

Eirik: ICDedPpl: Similar thing happened to me. Just not at a WalMart, but a bank.

Walked into a bank (which holds the account for the check I received) with a check for $800 to cash it in. Bank gave me $800 in cash and put it in an envelope. I then took the envelope to another bank to deposit the cash. After I got home, I noticed that the bank had only put $700 in my account, not $800. After I left the bank, the teller noticed that one of the $100 bills had been fake, filled out the appropriate forms and sent it off to the secret service.

Technically it was a real bill. A $5 bill bleached and reprinted. So it passed the pen test.

I can't prove that the other bank gave me that bill, nor can I prove that the rep at the second bank didn't do a switcheroo on me. So I was just out the $100.

Lesson learned.

Not exactly the same, but this reminded me of why I don't use ATM's to deposit cash anymore. When I was in college, I deposited some paltry amount (like $60) into my checking account only to get a letter a few days later that adjusted my deposit because I had only actually put in $40. I grumbled about it, but decided that I must have screwed up.

A few weeks later, same thing. An ATM deposit of cash was magically $20 short. I complained to the bank, but they just shrugged their shoulders.

That was probably 20 years ago, and a $40 lesson learned. If I'm depositing cash, I go to a teller and have them count it out.

Not the same thing, but very close happened to me as well. I will never deposit money in an ATM b/c of it. I want to see the money counted out in front of me, get a receipt, and a blow job from those tubes that suck up the little cannister in the drive-thru..

Harry Freakstorm		2012-09-18 02:29:06 PM

Random Bastage

Not the same thing, but very close happened to me as well. I will never deposit money in an ATM b/c of it. I want to see the money counted out in front of me, get a receipt, and a blow job from those tubes that suck up the little cannister in the drive-thru..

I went to my bank to get a money order. The lady swept the money in to her drawer and said "Wait I don't think you gave me enough money! She then went through a drawer audit. First time, she was over and that didn't fit her story of being shorted so she counted again and came up short. By this time, the manager came over and I insisted that I gave her enough money. The third count with the manager looking on (giving me the stink eye) she found an 'extra hundred' under the paper clipped bunch of hundreds. The manager says "Every one makes mistakes, sir. I said. "Let's see. She didn't count out the money in front of me. She didn't do a Cash In on her drawer (where she tells the computer how many hundreds, twenties and tens I'm giving the bank - seriously important) and she slipping hundreds under the bundled bills (some banks have the bundled hundreds set to an alarm in case the teller gets robbed). Those are some serious mistakes." The manager said something like "Oh. Are you in the banking business? I replied "Yeah. I used to be until you guys bought out the bank I worked for."

I had a car loan with them when they were still a normal bank. They got bought up and replaced all the tellers. As soon as I paid off my loan, I never went back.

Ramen Pride!		2012-09-18 02:29:15 PM

Considering that most consumers cannot tell the difference between a real and fake bill, (I sure as hell can't) Why is it that the banks and corporations who don't catch them and put them into circulation aren't held liable and the little guy gets screwed?

happyleper		2012-09-18 02:29:24 PM

DNRTFA -- horrible punctuation by subby in headline scared me away.

PallMall		2012-09-18 02:29:54 PM

Well, after ripping up two legit $100's in San Antonio, they had to make up for it somehow.

SirHolo		2012-09-18 02:31:13 PM

timujin: I'd say this is more bad publicity for Wal-Mart and maybe they'll do something about it, but I get the impression they don't really give a shiat about their image.

Their average customer is unaware of the internet, and its many news sources.

PallMall		2012-09-18 02:31:58 PM

SirHolo: Their average customer is unaware of the internet beyond fark.com, and its many news sources.

reubendaley		2012-09-18 02:32:00 PM

When she went to Walmart, Michigan mother Leann Ward used her Bridge Card and asked for 100 dollars cash back as part of the assistance she receives from the state, making sure to request a 100 dollar bill. She then took a different 100 dollar bill known to her to be fake and went to a store next door to buy cleaning supplies, tendering the counterfeit 100 dollar bill as payment. The fake was detected, and in accordance with her cunning plan, she claimed to have gotten the bill from Walmart. In order to preserve the subterfuge, Ward took her fake bill to Walmart, claiming that she had been given the bill in her change. When Walmart didn't roll over and exchange a valid bill for Ward's fake, she reacted not with the outrage of a genuine victim but instead with feigned indifference, since she knew that her elaborate plan had failed and that further scrutiny would likely lead to the conclusion that she had been attempting a scam. Thinking that it would be consistent with her charade of an innocent victim, she tossed off the platitude that "she just wants her neighbors to know that there is fake money circulating."

Eirik		2012-09-18 02:34:10 PM

balki1867: I actually had the opposite experience withdrawing money. I took out $100 but the machine only gave me $80. I complained to the bank and they fixed it. Honestly, I was shocked.

The difference there is that they can check the amount of money that is in the ATM at the time versus how much is supposed to be in there. If the two don't match, then they know there's a problem and can fix it.

I assumed that someone at the bank was randomly pocketing small bits of cash from the deposits and claiming there was less money. Either that or they were completely incompetent.

Abe Vigoda's Ghost		2012-09-18 02:40:53 PM

Dr.Knockboots: I cannot view the video but..

-Got her change back in one $100.00 bill? Why would you do that?
-Went to another store to buy cleaning supplies, when Wal Mart already has cleaning supplies

This smells fishy..

No, that's just the customer.
A bit of vinegar should fix that up.

gwowen		2012-09-18 02:42:00 PM

I was at a conference with a Secret Service counterfeit expert recently and she handed round some of those "Supernotes". she also said "I'm not allowed to speculate where they originated, but you can Google it".

They are believed to be pretty rare though, most circulating surgeries are either
a) crappy home printed ones that shouldn't fool anyone, sometimes printed on bleached out lower denominations (usually $5 -> $20)
b) of South American origin (particularly Peru) offset printed

The USSS anti-counterfeit website tells you how to detect them.

justanotherfarkinfarker		2012-09-18 02:47:10 PM

Hah, my headline got approved, it's probably the lamest I've submitted

mikebdoss		2012-09-18 02:49:12 PM

I worry about this every time I'm in Vegas (the only time I handle large cash bills). ATMs spit me out a few hundreds, and they're always checked at the table. If they're fake, there's no way to prove where you got them, and the best case scenario is you lose that money.

dopekitty74		2012-09-18 02:59:22 PM

reubendaley: When she went to Walmart, Michigan mother Leann Ward used her Bridge Card and asked for 100 dollars cash back as part of the assistance she receives from the state, making sure to request a 100 dollar bill. She then took a different 100 dollar bill known to her to be fake and went to a store next door to buy cleaning supplies, tendering the counterfeit 100 dollar bill as payment. The fake was detected, and in accordance with her cunning plan, she claimed to have gotten the bill from Walmart. In order to preserve the subterfuge, Ward took her fake bill to Walmart, claiming that she had been given the bill in her change. When Walmart didn't roll over and exchange a valid bill for Ward's fake, she reacted not with the outrage of a genuine victim but instead with feigned indifference, since she knew that her elaborate plan had failed and that further scrutiny would likely lead to the conclusion that she had been attempting a scam. Thinking that it would be consistent with her charade of an innocent victim, she tossed off the platitude that "she just wants her neighbors to know that there is fake money circulating."

Yeah, i thought it odd that someone on welfare would be so nonchalant about the loss of 100 dollars too.

/have been on it before. Every dollar counts!

dstrick44		2012-09-18 03:02:19 PM

Ramen Pride!
2012-09-18 02:29:15 PM
Considering that most consumers cannot tell the difference between a real and fake bill, (I sure as hell can't) Why is it that the banks and corporations who don't catch them and put them into circulation aren't held liable and the little guy gets screwed?

Now you sit there and think about what you posted.

downstairs		2012-09-18 03:03:45 PM

reubendaley: When she went to Walmart, Michigan mother Leann Ward used her Bridge Card and asked for 100 dollars cash back as part of the assistance she receives from the state, making sure to request a 100 dollar bill. She then took a different 100 dollar bill known to her to be fake and went to a store next door to buy cleaning supplies, tendering the counterfeit 100 dollar bill as payment. The fake was detected, and in accordance with her cunning plan, she claimed to have gotten the bill from Walmart. In order to preserve the subterfuge, Ward took her fake bill to Walmart, claiming that she had been given the bill in her change. When Walmart didn't roll over and exchange a valid bill for Ward's fake, she reacted not with the outrage of a genuine victim but instead with feigned indifference, since she knew that her elaborate plan had failed and that further scrutiny would likely lead to the conclusion that she had been attempting a scam. Thinking that it would be consistent with her charade of an innocent victim, she tossed off the platitude that "she just wants her neighbors to know that there is fake money circulating."

Yep, pretty much what I was thinking.

I mean... to someone who uses an EBT card, I promise you $100 is a very big deal. That could be a week's worth of groceries (depending on size of family.)

Optimal_Illusion		2012-09-18 03:04:32 PM

You can buy the pens, and if you do, make sure you occasionally get the latest ones, because counterfeiters will change methods to fake them out. And there are keychain-sized UV lights, especially this time of year, for Day-Glo Hallowe'en make-up, that can be used on the bills to show the plastic ribbons embedded in them. Each denomination has the ribbon in a different place, as well as the real amount printed on it. I would like to see a detector pen with a UV light built into the cap, just to be handy.

bikerbob59		2012-09-18 03:13:03 PM

G.I.R.B.: Two Hearted: Why would she go to another store to buy cleaning supplies? Was Walmart completely out of cleaning supplies?

Minards has better prices.

Manards

Ramen Pride!		2012-09-18 03:13:55 PM

dstrick44: Ramen Pride!
2012-09-18 02:29:15 PM
Considering that most consumers cannot tell the difference between a real and fake bill, (I sure as hell can't) Why is it that the banks and corporations who don't catch them and put them into circulation aren't held liable and the little guy gets screwed?

Now you sit there and think about what you posted.

Oh. Well... hamburgers. :(

kkinnison		2012-09-18 03:20:32 PM

Why even bother using or taking $100 bills at wal-mart.

I guess i will add this to the list of reasons I don't shop at wal-mart. As well as the last one

downstairs		2012-09-18 04:03:35 PM

bikerbob59: G.I.R.B.: Two Hearted: Why would she go to another store to buy cleaning supplies? Was Walmart completely out of cleaning supplies?

Minards has better prices.

Manards

Menards ;)

algrant33		2012-09-18 04:04:32 PM

bikerbob59: G.I.R.B.: Two Hearted: Why would she go to another store to buy cleaning supplies? Was Walmart completely out of cleaning supplies?

Minards has better prices.

Manards

Save Big Money at
2.bp.blogspot.com

Jon iz teh kewl		2012-09-18 05:39:03 PM

algrant33: bikerbob59: G.I.R.B.: Two Hearted: Why would she go to another store to buy cleaning supplies? Was Walmart completely out of cleaning supplies?

Minards has better prices.

Manards

Save Big Money at
[2.bp.blogspot.com image 536x400]

A++