Watch out for Fake Money

Watch out for Fake notes

If you want to check whether a UK note is real, the Bank of England says to look for the hologram that changes when you tilt it, the clear window with the metallic image, the coloured foil depending on the note value, the raised print you can feel with your fingers, and the UV features that glow under proper ultraviolet light. Detector pens don’t work on polymer notes, and UV lamps only check part of the security features.

If you’re given a note that feels wrong, stay calm. If you’re safe to do so, keep the note so it doesn’t go back into circulation and ask for another method of payment. If the person looks like they’re knowingly using a fake, the advice is to contact the police straight away. If it feels unsafe, don’t try to keep the note, just refuse it and report it afterwards.

Any note you do keep should be handled as little as possible and bagged for evidence. You or your workplace can then send it to the Bank of England through your bank for checking. If it turns out to be real, you’ll get reimbursed.

If someone hands you counterfeit money in everyday life, you should report it to the police immediately because passing or possessing counterfeit money is a criminal offence.

If the situation involves a dodgy seller or rogue trader, like someone pressuring you on the doorstep or selling fake goods, that needs to go through Trading Standards. Citizens Advice pass these reports on, and Trading Standards investigate unfair or illegal trading.