March 16, 2026 - Farmers State Bank is alerting the public, and warning of an increased prevalence of large counterfeit bills with three discovered at their Center location in less than a week's time, as well as at their Carthage location.
The bank reports these are not fully counterfeit bills, as they will not appear to be counterfeit when a detection pen is used on them which suggests they are real bills of a smaller denomination.
So far, the bills have appeared the same and are of "Series 1983" and the serial number has been exactly the same, starting with an "I".
Although the bills have been caught by the bank each time, Farmers State Bank is recommending increased awareness and scrutiny on the behalf of individuals and businesses.
For further information and to report counterfeit money, click here.
Contact local law enforcement to report counterfeit currency immediately. The Center Police Department's phone number is 936-598-2788 and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department's phone number is 936-598-5601.
