Local Missouri Restaurant Warns Businesses About Fake ‘Movie Money’

A friendly warning is going out to restaurants and businesses about fake money being used as payment.

Businesses In Quincy And Hannibal Asked To Stay Alert

In a Facebook post from Primo’s in Canton, Missouri, the restaurant shared that they received what is known as “Movie Money” when a customer paid their bill. At first glance, the bills can look real, especially if you only look at them quickly. However, in the top right corner, you can clearly see the caption, “For Motion Picture Purposes.”

The owner of Primo’s posted the warning to let others know the fake money is circulating in Canton and could easily spread to nearby communities like Quincy and Hannibal.

How To Identify Fake ‘Movie Money'

The marking “For Motion Picture Purposes” identifies the bills as realistic prop money used in film and TV production. By federal law, these bills cannot be used as legal tender, which is why they are printed with disclaimers and altered markings.

Key identifiers for movie money include:

• Text disclaimers such as “For Motion Picture Purposes”
• Motto alterations, including “IN PROPS WE TRUST” instead of “IN GOD WE TRUST”
• Federal Reserve markings that may read “MOTION PICTURE PURPOSES” or “MOTION PICTURE USE” instead of “FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE”
• Fake serial numbers, with some bills using the same numbers repeatedly

Movie money can be purchased in bulk online from several websites, making it easy to obtain.

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So, consider this a fair warning to businesses and restaurants across the Tri-States: take a closer look before accepting cash as payment.