Gambier businesses discovered several counterfeit $20 bills last week, prompting some of them to put up warning signs.

A Kenyon Bookstore customer used phony money to purchase energy drinks last Thursday, according to Bookstore General Manager Angus MacDonell. The cashier tested the bill with a counterfeit bill detector pen, which confirmed it was fake.

The People’s Bank of Gambier also discovered two counterfeit $20 bills at the end of the day last Thursday, according to Assistant Bank Manager Penny Givens, who filed a report with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. The incident was classified as a fourth-degree felony charge for forgery, but the active investigation is stalled at the moment by a lack of reasonable suspects.

MacDonell said the bookstore checks all bills above $20. Most Gambier businesses have a detector pen, according to Director of Campus Safety Bob Hooper.

In response to the counterfeit bill sightings, the Village Market and the Gambier Deli posted warnings to merchants and customers that all deposits would be thoroughly checked before being accepted. The use of counterfeit money is unusual, according to MacDonell.

“I’ve been in retail many years, and it’s pretty rare we get these things,” MacDonell said.

A man in the bookstore incident was interviewed by a Knox County sheriff’s deputy, according to Lieutenant Tim Light, and the investigation is ongoing.