WILLEMSTAD - In response to the circulation of counterfeit 100-guilder bills, several gas stations and supermarkets on the island have implemented policies to no longer accept these notes. 

According to a spokesperson, "Businesses are within their rights to refuse these bills. The law allows them this freedom. Consumers cannot force a retailer to accept cash, despite its status as legal tender." 

The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) has indicated that the circulation of counterfeit bills is suspected to be minimal. They have provided guidance to retailers on how to identify counterfeit money, including the use of a special marker. 

Back in April, the CBCS issued a warning regarding counterfeit 100-guilder bills. These fraudulent notes are crafted with high-quality materials, making them challenging to distinguish from genuine currency. Each counterfeit bill includes a watermark resembling the former CBCS logo, visible as a gradient when held up to light—lighter and darker than the surrounding paper. Furthermore, precise alignment of the letters 'N' and 'A' is crucial, and the ink on the notes can be felt at various locations on the front. 

Additional features to differentiate between real and fake bills include lighter ink in the small letters on the back of the banknote, creating a color transition effect. Moreover, the bird motif on the counterfeit bills is printed with darker ink and lacks the glitter present on authentic currency. 

The CBCS continues to urge vigilance among retailers and the public, emphasizing the importance of verifying the authenticity of banknotes before accepting them in transactions. 

For more information or to report suspicious activity related to counterfeit currency, individuals are encouraged to contact the CBCS directly.