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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | JANUARY 2018 | 5 Happy New Year everyone! We've experienced another year that seemed like it went faster than the last. I hope all of you were able to spend time with friends and family, and brought them up to the Lodge that was so beautifully decorated by our awesome volunteers. I was asked by Francisco, our Bistro Operator, to mention a topic that has occurred on a couple of occasions in recent months. It concerns "counterfeit" bills that have been passed through the Bistro. On Nov. 10, a $100 bill was passed in the evening of the Friday night Bistro special held in the Ballroom. When Francisco went to the bank to make a deposit the next day, the bank informed him that of the cash deposited, he had a counterfeit $100 bill, which they confiscated. Prior to this, the Bistro staff were (and still are) using a pen that marks fake bills, but the pen is not always reliable. Francisco is also in the process of purchasing a counterfeit scanner to use at the front counter. The scanner will also be used when the Bistro has events in the Ballroom. How do I know if my currency is fake? Most of us don't. I saw a fake $5 bill that the Bistro has and compared it to a real $5 bill. Wow… the fake bill was really close in comparison and at a quick glance, the average person wouldn't know the difference. Where did the person get this? I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that our residents are honest and doubt that someone is making these in their garage! So, most likely, the resident got it from another location that they patronize. Did Francisco get his $100 back? No, unfortunately, the bank doesn't give you a replacement bill, so Francisco had to absorb the loss. How can we help him? That's where all of us can help. First, be cautious with your money and who you receive it from. Second, used real currency feels more cloth-like than paper. New bills will feel a little stiff. Lastly, by the time this article is published, Francisco should have a currency detection device in place to make sure the cash that is collected is the real thing. If you do happen to be the recipient of a fake bill, try and figure out where you got it from and if it's a business, contact the business and/or Hemet P.D. so the police can follow up with the establishment. Our staff family and I hope that you had a peaceful holiday season with your loved ones and we hope that 2018 brings continued good health for all! A Message From Your General Manager By Rick Ruth, CMCA

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