Two Tulsa businesses warn of counterfeit money scheme

Two Tulsa businesses captured a woman trying to use a fake $100 bill, so they're letting others know about the potential scammer.

The security cameras at Big Baby Rolls and Donuts as well as Amber Marie and Company have shown a woman at the register. Both businesses said she was trying to pay with a fake $100 bill.

The businesses said some of the red flags were that she was carrying the cash in a birthday card. They say the bill felt like printer paper and the items purchased were no more than $30.

Big Baby Rolls and Donuts Manager Caleb Woods' brother was the cashier when he encountered the woman and fake bill.

"Luckily, he's a bill collector, I would say my brother is, he said. "He spotted it right off the bat. As soon as you touched it, you could tell. It was like printer paper."

Woods expressed frustration when it came to seeing someone try and take advantage of local businesses.

"It had nothing to do with wanting food or needing food or anything like that," Woods said. "It was all about getting back real cash."

The owner of Amber Marie and Company Amber Welch said this serves as a lesson for Tulsa businesses to continue to check all the bills.

"It's just a really great remembrance to us just to be like, hey, get those pens out and let's start using them again," she said. "Because we know obviously there is counterfeit money being circulated in the Tulsa area."

Welch explained how much effort is gone to waste when someone tries to scam her business.

"Theft is a personal thing for you because you put your heart and soul, your blood, sweat, and tears," she said. "Being small business owners, we live it.”

Tulsa police said this is under investigation and are asking other businesses who have been impacted to come forward.