Michigan Walmart, Meijer, + Others Now Rejecting Some Currency

Major retailers like Dollar General, Walmart, Meijer, and Target are adopting new rules in 2025 and will have the option to reject currency deemed unacceptable.

New Rules Regarding Mutilated Currency

As of 2025, many retailers and banks will no longer accept 'mutilated currency,' meaning bills that have damaged edges, significant tears, or discoloration can be rejected.

The policy is backed by the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Secret Service, and the Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence Steering Committee to enhance currency security and prevent the circulation of potentially counterfeit or damaged bills.

Mutilated Currency, Defined

According to the Federal Reserve, Mutilated Money is currency that has been damaged to the extent that one-half or less of the note remains, or its value is questionable.

Currency can become mutilated, soiled, limp, defaced, or worn out in any number of ways:

• Fire
• Water
• Chemicals
• Explosives
• Animals
• Insects
• Rodents
• petrification or deterioration by burying.

Mutilated Currency CAN be Redeemed

If you have mutilated currency, you're not out of luck. Although it's now worthless at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Meijer, it can be redeemed at face value if submitted to the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Mutilated currency must be submitted with a fully-completed BEP form 5283, and shipped to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington DC. Complete details and instructions are located here. 

Shipments must include a letter stating the estimated value of the mutilated currency and an explanation of how the currency became defaced or mutilated.