Attention, Montana shoppers! If your wallet is stuffed with crumpled, coffee-stained, or slightly torn dollar bills, heads up, Target and Walmart are changing their rules. These retail giants have announced they will no longer accept certain kinds of cash, so those ragged dollars might not make it past the register.

Why the Change?

It’s all about keeping things smooth and secure at checkout. By refusing "mutilated" bills, those that are torn, stained, or damaged, Target and Walmart hope to avoid issues like fraud or awkward self-checkout struggles. For Montana cash-carriers, this means it’s time to check your money before heading to the store.

canva.com
canva.com
loading...

What Counts as ‘Damaged’?

According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, bills that are mutilated include:

  • Torn or missing pieces
  • Burned, discolored, or water-damaged
  • Stained with something questionable

If your cash has seen better days, don’t toss it. You can exchange damaged bills through the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. They’ll assess the damage and give you a fresh check in return.

Monthly Consumer Prices Continue To Fall At Record Rate
Getty Images
loading...

Alternatives for Montana’s Shoppers

Not ready to give up on cash? Keep it crisp and clean. But if you’re feeling modern, both Target and Walmart accept digital wallets, debit cards, credit cards, and even SNAP/EBT.

Montana, We’ve Got This

Sure, this policy might feel like a hassle. But we’re Montanans, we’ve dealt with worse, like blizzards, grizzly bears, and elk on the highway. So next time you head to the store, treat your cash like it’s headed to a beauty pageant. Smooth, spotless bills will get you through checkout drama-free.

Because whether it’s groceries, ammo, or that box of Oreos you definitely need, you deserve to shop without stress. Happy shopping, Big Sky Country!

LOOK: The biggest scams today and how you can protect yourself from them

Using data from the BBB Scam Tracker Annual Risk Report, Stacker identified the most common and costly types of scams in 2022.

More From 96.3 The Blaze