Flow of bogus bills continues in Whistler businesses Local retailers and businesses are being asked to pay particularly close attention to their incoming cash flow as the incidents of counterfeit bills continue in the community. Constable Warren Tomalty said Whistler RCMP have received more than 100 fake bills over the summer, in both U.S. and Canadian funds, and said the bills have been appearing more frequently in recent weeks. He suggests anyone handling currency as part of their daily routine take the time to learn how to spot the phoney bills amongst real cash. "If you're at all uncertain about a bill, don't accept it," Tomalty said. "If you have any questions, phone the police, and if the person runs off, you've got no doubt about it being fake." Tomalty said spotting the fake bills can still be tricky, as a local business discovered when a counterfeit $100 U.S. bill turned up in their cash deposit at a local bank. In an instance where a retailer or a customer accidentally passes a bill to a financial institution, Tomalty said charges are unlikely, although if you pass it along the bill will be confiscated by the police and you'll be out of luck in getting a refund. "We had a situation where a local bar took seven fake bills in one weekend," he said. Upon closer examination, the bills turned out to be high-quality fakes, including $20 and $50 bills, and the bar was out nearly $300. Tomalty has been offering counterfeit currency-spotting clinics to Whistler businesses throughout the summer, but said that cashiers still need to be diligent, especially when handling high volumes of cash. As proof, he can offer up a display board showing American and Canadian $20 bills. "People should be careful that they don't get tunnel vision while handling money. If you've got a doubt, look at the bill and compare it with real bills in the cash drawer." Many stores are now keeping a magnifying glass on hand to inspect the fine anti-counterfeiting features printed into U.S. and Canadian currency, or employing pens with special invisible ink which turns a bright colour on bogus bills. Most instant teller bank machines also feature technology to spot artificial bills in their money bins, meaning there is little chance a faked bill will pop out amongst a wad of bank machine-issued $20s. Tomalty said high denomination bills are the most frequently faked, with a 50-50 split between U.S. and Canadian currency being intercepted. RCMP investigate sudden death in village Investigation continues after a 75-year-old California resident apparently died of a heart attack just minutes after arriving at the Whistler Health Care Centre on Sunday. Tomalty said the man and his wife were attending a religious retreat and staying at a local hotel. A call was made to the front desk after the man began experiencing discomfort. A taxi was dispatched and the victim was offered antacids, as it was thought he might simply be suffering from indigestion. After climbing into the taxi, the man told the driver he thought he was experiencing a heart attack, and was rushed to the health care centre. He collapsed upon arrival and it was reported that the death was attributed to a sudden heart attack.
