COUNTERFEIT cash is doing the rounds in Port Macquarie, and it is very difficult to tell it's fake.
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Police have been notified on three occasions in the last month of people using fake $50 and $100 notes.
The first happened on November 9 when a business owner took their takings to a bank to be counted and deposited.
The machine rejected a $50 note.
It was revealed to have a different feel, be smaller in size and bear a brighter yellow colour than legal tender.
Some of the yellow printing was also coming away near the edge of the note.
But police said it was high quality counterfeit and contained some of the note's required security features, including three and four point stars, a clear window embossed with '50', southern cross printing and the coat of arms.
A pizza deliverer was duped in the second incident.
On November 15 an order was delivered to a couple outside an apartment building.
They paid using a $100 note, collected their change but strangely walked away and didn't return to the building.
On returning to the pizza shop, the deliverer noticed the print was coming off the note and it did not feel like legal tender.
The male in the couple as having a large build with brown hair and stubble on his chin.
The woman is described as being short and blonde.
Both are thought to be aged in their mid 30s.
The most recent incident happened on Wednesday when the owner of another business took her earning to a bank.
As with the incident on November 9, a counting machine rejected a $50 note which caused police to be called.
Unfortunately the owner was unable to recall who had paid with the note, as she depositing a week's worth of tender.
Her business also did not have security footage that could be reviewed.
The Australian Federal Police are working with the Local Area Command to investigate the use of counterfeit notes.
Any one with information is asked to call the LAC on 6583 0199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
