HOWELL, Mich. (WXYZ) — Small businesses in downtown Howell are on high alert after a new wave of fake cash started hitting registers. Several shops have been impacted and say the counterfeit bills are affecting their bottom line as the holiday season ramps up.

I spoke with two small business owners who say they're keeping their guard up against the fraudulent currency.

M Street Bakery tells me they're a victim of counterfeit cash. The fake $100 bill wasn't noticed until they went to deposit it at the bank. They're hoping police catch the deceitful shoppers sooner rather than later.

WXYZ Counterfeit bill

Emily Mazaris, owner of M Street Bakery Co., described the impact on local businesses.

"It hurts small businesses. It hurts really any business when something like that happens," Maz

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