MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiʻi Island police are warning the public about a rash of counterfeit $50 bills being distributed in the Hilo and Puna areas.

A man reported Wednesday (January 14) that several vendors at farmers markets in Hilo and Puna had received the counterfeit bills. Police also received reports from other businesses in both districts.

Police ask anyone who receives a counterfeit bill or who has any information about who is distributing them to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.