BRITS have been warned to watch out for fake £20 notes that are in circulation.
Counterfeit cash is worthless so it’s important to make sure you’re not caught out.
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Fake notes are rare, and typically make up less than 0.01% of the cash in circulation, according to the Bank of England.
But it’s a good idea to be careful, particularly as many families are struggling with the rising cost of living.
According to a video posted by a social media user in Birmingham, there are new fake £20 notes in circulation, The Mirror reported.
The video shows an ordinary looking £20 note, but the hologram can actually be peeled off and underneath it says “prop money”.
We explain how to spot a fake bank note and what to do if you end up with one in your wallet.
How can I tell if a note is fake?
The Bank of England has published a guide so shoppers can check whether their cash is genuine.
There are different checks to do depending on which note you have – this is how to tell if a £20 polymer note is fake or real.
Hologram
If you tilt the note from side to side, the words should switch between ‘Twenty’ and ‘Pounds’ on a real £20.
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See-through windows
Look at the metallic image over the main window and check the foil is gold and blue on the front of the note and silver on the back.
You should also look for a second, smaller window in the bottom corner of the note.
The Queen’s portrait in the see-through window
A portrait of the Queen is printed on the window with ‘£20 Bank of England’ printed twice around the edge.
Silver foil patch
On a genuine £20 note, a silver foil patch contains a 3D image of the coronation crown.
You will find this above the main see-through window on the front of the note.
Purple foil patch
Asecond foil patch can also help you verify a £20 bank note.
It is a round, purple foil patch which contains the letter ‘T’. You will find this on the back of the note, directly behind the silver crown on the front of the note.
Feel of polymer and raised print
New £20 notes are printed on polymer, which is a thin and flexible plastic material.
On the front of the note, you can feel raised print.
For example, the words ‘Bank of England’ and in the bottom right corner, over the smaller window, will be raised.
Print quality
The printed lines and colours on a genuine note are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges.
If you use a magnifying glass, you will see the value of the note written in small letters and numbers below the Queen’s portrait
Ultraviolet number
Under a good-quality ultraviolet light, the number ‘20’ appears in bright
red and green on the front of the note, against a duller background
What should I do if I’ve been given a fake note?
Check your notes when you first receive them to avoid being given a fake.
If you think you’ve got a counterfeit note you should hand it in at a police station.
Unfortunately, they won’t be able to reimburse you for the note.
The police will fill out a form, and give you a receipt and incident number.
The suspect notes will be sent to the National Crime Agency and, if they’re fake, on to the Bank of England.
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