The Island County sheriff is warning businesses on Whidbey Island to be on the lookout for counterfeit cash.

Sheriff Mark Brown said a confidential informant from another agency shared a rumor that as much as $150,000 in counterfeit bills may be coming through the island.

Brown stresses that the rumor is not substantiated. The sheriff’s office does not have information about where the bogus bills may be coming from, what denomination they might be or the quality of the fakes.

“This was strictly a proactive move to let businesses know we heard this rumor,” he said.

In a press release, the sheriff’s office offered tips on identifying and dealing with counterfeit money.

Anyone who gets a suspected fake bill should call 911 and try to delay the “passer” from leaving. People should never put themselves in danger or try to restrain the suspect.

To help identify faux moolah, the sheriff’s office suggested people go to www.quora.com/How-do-you-check-for-counterfeit-US-dollar-bills.