An unidentified man passed counterfeit money at several businesses in downtown Palmerton Wednesday evening.

Contacted this morning, borough police Chief Randy Smith told the TIMES NEWS the individual made several purchases between 7-8 p.m. and paid for the items with $20 bills determined to be counterfeit.Smith described the man who passed the counterfeits as being in his early-to-mid-20s, about 6-feet-tall, clean shaven, with short brown hair, wire rim glasses and a dark gray or light blue jacket.Simply Something, located at 312 Delaware Ave., first reported the incident to police, Smith said."Officers checked all open businesses, provided the businesses with a description of the suspect, and it was found that counterfeit bills were also used at Palmerton Pizza, Tony's Pizza, Joe's Place, and the Pyramid Restaurant," Smith said. "We obtained video footage from Tony's Pizza, and the other stores were going to be checking their surveliance video from that night."Smith said that owners should be aware that the bills were $20 bills that all had the same serial numbers: JB57426366B. The bills had no watermark or security strip in them, but appeared to be of high quality with accurate color, Smith said."Business owners should check any $20 bills that are accepted for the purchase of any items and notify borough police if suspected to be counterfeit," he said. "We feel the individual is passing around and buying small items and then receiving cash back after (giving) counterfeit bills."Smith said the matter is an ongoing investigation.