The policy under which a Henry County high school student was suspended for passing a counterfeit $10 bill is apparently stricter than federal law.
Tierra Payton, 17, a junior at Dutchtown High School in Hampton was suspended -- and could have been expelled -- after she used a bogus $10 bill to buy candy at a school fund-raiser. She says she had no idea that the bill was fake. At a hearing Wednesday, Payton was told she would not be expelled and could return to school.
According to Henry County school policy, "possessing, using, selling, buying, giving away, bartering or exchanging any counterfeit money" is a violation.
According to the U.S. Secret Service, possession of counterfeit money is a crime only if it is done "with fraudulent intent," language that is missing from the school policy. Such a violation is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both.
A Henry County schools spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Even though it's not a crime to unintentionally pass fake bills, the Secret Service says it's incumbent on citizens to help detect bogus money. The agency's website offers some ways to check.
Portrait
The genuine portrait appears lifelike and stands out distinctly from the background. The counterfeit portrait is usually lifeless and flat. Details merge into the background which is often too dark or mottled.
Federal Reserve and Treasury Seals
On a genuine bill, the saw-tooth points of the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals are clear, distinct and sharp. The counterfeit seals may have uneven, blunt or broken saw-tooth points.
Border
The fine lines in the border of a genuine bill are clear and unbroken. On the counterfeit, the lines in the outer margin and scrollwork may be blurred and indistinct.
Serial Numbers
Genuine serial numbers have a distinctive style and are evenly spaced. The serial numbers are printed in the same ink color as the Treasury Seal. On a counterfeit, the serial numbers may differ in color or shade of ink from the Treasury seal. The numbers may not be uniformly spaced or aligned.
Paper
Genuine currency paper has tiny red and blue fibers embedded throughout. Often counterfeiters try to simulate these fibers by printing tiny red and blue lines on their paper. Close inspection reveals, however, that on the counterfeit note the lines are printed on the surface, not embedded in the paper. It is illegal to reproduce the distinctive paper used in the manufacturing of United States currency.
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