Target & Walmart Enforcing New Cash Policy In North Dakota

If you still have some last minute holiday shopping to do, you might want to keep this in mind before paying at the register with cash.

To be honest, I'm surprised there are so many people in North Dakota that still pay for things with cash. I can't use cash; I lose it on the street, in purses, in coat pockets, and for some reason, it doesn't feel like real money.

I can't be trusted with physical cash. I probably shouldn't be trusted with digital cash either, but that's for a completely different reason.

If you are still holding on to some dollar bills, you need to make sure you're not breaking this new cash policy at Target and Walmart stores.

According to MSN.com, the retailers will no longer be accepting 'mutilated' bills, and several other stores will be enforcing the same rule after the new year.

P.S. - Mutilated is a strong word that should only be used in crime documentaries, but okay.

What do they mean by 'mutilated' bills? Well, I'm sure you've seen it before --bills that are taped together, torn, burned or discolored.

I'm not sure if bills with blood spots on them fall under the umbrella of 'mutilated,' but I feel like they should. I've seen it. More than once.

The source says the move was prompted the the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Federal Reserve. They want to reduce the circulation of damaged and counterfeit bills.

You might even see signage up by the registers explaining the new policy.

Is It Fair?

Is it my fault I was given a gross and/or damaged bill? Does that mean I'm out 20 bucks? That hardly sounds fair.

According to FRBservices.com Department of Treasury regulations state that a damaged or mutilated bill can be exchanged at face value if more than 50 percent of the note is identifiable as US currency.