To the editor:

The Treasury announced a $36 million campaign to inform citizens of the new security features in the $20 bill. This was an attempt to reduce or eliminate counterfeiting. Less than a week after the release of the new $20, counterfeit bills were turning up.

Shortly after the release of the new $20 my wife attempted to use it at the self-checkout at Dillons. The automated payment machine rejected her $20. I contacted the manager at the store, who told me it would take up to three months to upgrade the machines. The next day, I am at Wal-Mart and they have just installed automated payment machines at their self-checkout. An on-duty manager said they had no problems accepting the new $20s.

The Treasury Department says, “we really made an effort to reach out to thousands of business industries and associations so they can start working with their customers and members.” The only conclusion I can draw is Treasury had $36 million to waste and the grocery stores did not think it was cost-effective to upgrade their machines in a timely manner.

David Butcher,

Lawrence