US Secret Service photo.
The holidays are supposed to be a festive time, but they can also be frustrating for local businesses.
The holidays are a time when counterfeiting activities ramp up, and Emporia Main Street Executive Director Casey Woods says there is also other illegal activity afoot.
Whether involving currency or items, counterfeiting efforts undercut legitimate retailers and eliminate tax revenue to cities and counties.
If you believe you have dealt with counterfeit money, you can go online to secretservice.gov/investigations/counterfeit.
If you suspect you’re dealing with a dealer of counterfeit items or if you believe you have been scammed, call the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 866-347-2423 or go online to iprcenter.gov.
Regardless of the counterfeiting effort, you can also reach out to local law enforcement.