LEWISTON – So you sold that all-terrain vehicle. It’s about time. Nothing to do but put the money in the bank, right?

Better check that cash first.

Although police say it’s rare, counterfeit money has been circulating in the area. The United States Secret Service is currently investigating a pair of counterfeiting cases in the Lewiston-Auburn area.

Last week, a couple who sold an ATV for $4,400 later discovered one of the bills was fake. It was a counterfeit so bad, in fact, the seller described it as “laughable.”

The funny money apparently originated from a bank where the buyer of the ATV got the dough to pay for his new ride.

That case was turned over to federal authorities.

On Thursday, a woman who was cashing in a certificate of deposit in Lewiston found herself with a bogus $100 bill. She went to the police station and turned it in.

The bill was locked up and the Secret Service was notified.

“It’s rare around here but it does happen,” said Lewiston police Lt. Paul Harmon. “Every once in a while, these things pop up.”

There are a lot of false alarms, too. The newer bills with their giant presidential heads occasionally cause people to question their currency. But police say, better safe than sorry.

“My advice always is, while you’re doing your business at a bank or store, while you’re receiving cash back, take a look at it before you step away,” said Lewiston police Detective David Chick.

Police use details like cut marks, paper quality and security strips to identify bogus cash. Some fakes are very easy to identify. Others, police say, are of high quality and it takes a pro to spot the bogus bills.

“We don’t see it a lot,” said Auburn police Lt. Paul Labarre. “When we get a case, our detectives get on it and the Secret Service is called in.”

mlaflamme@sunjournal.com