Lowell bank wasn't buying this $10G bill

LOWELL -- When a woman came to Enterprise Bank on Gorham Street with a $10,000 bill yesterday morning, bank staff had to question its authenticity.

Michael Gallagher, the bank's risk-management director, said it was an easy call spotting the counterfeit bill, given there are believed to be only about 300 that are still around.

"It is really unlikely we would see one in Lowell," he said. "It raised red flags very quickly. It was an easy catch."

The $10,000 bill has not been printed since 1934 and they really haven't been in circulation since the 1930s, said Gallagher. He also said any of the bills that still do exist are probably in the hands of collectors.

"We haven't seen one ever," he said.

Following protocol, the bank will ship the fake bill to the Federal Reserve.

Gallagher said he could not give details as to the type of transaction the woman was attempting to make with the counterfeit money.

According to police, the woman with the counterfeit bill told bank staff she got the bill from an unnamed boyfriend.

Capt. Randall Humphrey said police are investigating and the U.S. Secret Service has been notified. He also said there are some mental-health concerns with the woman who had the bill.

Police said the woman has not been charged, but the investigation is ongoing.