Counterfeit Notes

Although the incidence of counterfeiting is relatively low there are some counterfeit banknotes in circulation.  The best ways to avoid being caught out are to:

• familiarise yourself with the security features of genuine notes,

            and

• take sufficient time to check banknotes thoroughly when you receive them.  This is particularly true in situations where you receive large volumes of notes.

If you have any doubt, compare the suspect note with another note that you know to be genuine.  Additionally, the Banknotes pages on this web site provide links to information on the key security and design features of banknotes issued by ACBI members.

Always examine a variety of features rather than relying on just one characteristic when deciding whether or not a note is genuine.

What happens if I come into possession of a counterfeit banknote?

It is important to remember that counterfeit notes are valueless.    If you have a note that you believe to be counterfeit, and you are sure who gave you the note, you should take it to the police at once for investigation purposes. 

If you have no knowledge of who gave you the note you are required to take it to any local branch of the bank of issue, at which time a "Retention of Counterfeit Currency Form" will be completed, a copy of which will be given to you for your records.  The Bank will retain the counterfeit note for recording and destruction purposes. 

You will only be re-imbursed for the value of the note if it is subsequently found to be genuine.

Please remember, it is a criminal offence to hold or to pass a note that you know to be a counterfeit.

Statistics

Statistics relating to the number of counterfeit Scottish banknotes discovered and removed from circulation are available by clicking here.

Statistics relating to the number of counterfeit Northern Ireland banknotes discovered and removed from circulation are available by clicking here.