ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — Authorities are searching for the individual who used fake money to buy Girl Scout cookies in St. Mary’s County.
According to the sheriff’s office, the counterfeit transactions happened at two different booths on separate occasions. No arrests have been made at this time.
On Tuesday, officers posted photos with the Girl Scouts who unknowingly received the fake bills.
To help prevent similar incidents in the future, the Sheriff’s Office provided these tips for spotting counterfeit money:
- Feel the texture – Genuine bills have raised printing.
- Check for color-shifting ink – Tilt the bill to see if the color changes.
- Look for watermarks and security threads – Hold the bill up to the light for verification.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program, which began in 1917, originally featured homemade cookies baked by the scouts and their families. Over time, the initiative grew, and by the 2000s, two licensed bakers began producing eight varieties of cookies.
Selling cookies helps Girl Scouts raise funds for troop activities while also teaching valuable entrepreneurial skills.
For those interested in supporting the Girl Scouts, cookies can be purchased online for home delivery or direct scout delivery.
