Fraudulent Bank Notes in Circulation

Fraudulent Bank Notes in Circulation

Good morning Residents.

We have seen an increase in fraudulent bank notes in circulation around Aberdare lately, and want to advise people on what to look out for, when checking any bank notes you are given.

Use the Feel, Look and Tilt method.

Polymer notes should feel crisp and firm with raised ink, feature sharp and clear transparent windows, and show shifting colours and words when tilted against the light.

Check these specific security features:

Feel the polymer: The note should be made of a single piece of polymer (plastic), not paper. Run your fingers over the words "Bank of England" (or your local issuing bank) to feel distinct, raised print.

Examine the transparent window: Genuine polymer notes have a large, perfectly clear see-through window. Check that the portrait inside the window is sharp and the metallic foil matches the note's design.

Tilt the foil patch: On the front of the note, the silver foil patch changes when you tilt it side-to-side. For example, the words should shift between the denomination (e.g., "Twenty") and "Pounds.

Check the microtext: Using a magnifying glass, look for the tiny, sharp letters and numbers printed near the portrait

Use UV light: Place the note under a high-quality UV light. The note's value should appear in bright, contrasting fluorescent colours.

To verify a Bank of England polymer banknote, you need to check these specific, high-tech security features built directly into the note's design:

Hologram and Foil Patches

The Image Change: Tilt the note from side to side. The words on the silver foil patch will change between the note's value and its name (e.g., "Five" and "Pounds").

The Queen/King Portrait: Look closely at the large see-through window. A highly detailed metallic portrait of the reigning monarch is printed directly onto the window.

The Metallic Buildings: A second foil patch sits at the bottom of the window (e.g., a silver/blue St Paul's Cathedral on the £20 note). Tilt it to see the colours shift.

The 3D Crown: A silver 3D crown sits directly above the see-through window on the front of every note.

Window Details

The Small Window: Check the bottom corner of the note for a second, smaller transparent window. This window is completely clear and should not be cloudy.

The Raised Print: Run your fingers over the words "Bank of England" on the front. The ink is raised and feels rough to the touch.

🔍 Microtext and UV Elements

The Microtext Lines: Look beneath the monarch's portrait with a magnifying glass. You will see lines of sharp, tiny text stating the note's value in numbers and words.

The Glowing Number: Place the note under a high-quality ultraviolet (UV) light. The background remains dull, but the note's value (e.g., a bright "20") will glow intensely in red and green.

South Wales Police have been handing out Counterfeit Note Detector Pens to businesses in Aberdare, to help combat this issue. It is worth noting, this may not work on some of the newer notes, but we would rather you have something to assist you.

Remember if you are handed any bank note that you believe is fraudulent, the guidelines in stopping this from recirculating is as follows:

Shops can and should retain suspected fraudulent banknotes, but staff must only do so if it is completely safe. According to standard UK retail best practice, staff are advised to keep the note to prevent it from going back into circulation, provided they do not put themselves at risk.

Prioritise staff safety: Shop workers should never get into an argument or physical confrontation over a banknote. If a customer demands the note back or becomes aggressive, staff should hand it back immediately and prioritize their safety.

Provide a receipt: If the context is not suspicious and the customer unknowingly tried to use a fake note, the retailer should keep the note, ask for an alternative form of payment, and issue a receipt to the customer.

Preserve evidence: If a shop successfully retains a fake note, staff should handle it as little as possible and place it into a plastic bag to preserve fingerprint evidence.

Report to authorities: Retailers must hand the retained note over to the police (by calling 101 or visiting a station) or submit it directly to the Bank of England - Advice for retailers and businesses using their official business forms.

No compensation: It is important to know that fake banknotes are completely worthless. Neither the shop nor the Bank of England can reimburse a customer for a confiscated counterfeit note.

Thank You.

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Message Sent By
James Rees
(South Wales Police, PCSO, Cynon NPT - Team 2)