Gwent Police are warning businesses and residents to be on their guard because of fake £20 notes in circulation across Caerphilly County Borough.
In recent weeks more than 30 £20 notes have been handed in from the area.
Police say the counterfeit notes are of a high quality and are reminding people to check their authenticity.
Despite their quality, the counterfeit money does not pass detection pens and UV lights – used in many shops.
Alternatively, there are several simple checks you can carry out as recommended by the Bank of England.
Feel of the paper – banknotes are printed on special paper that gives them their unique feel.
Raised print – by running your fingers across the front of the £20 note you can feel raised print in areas such as the words ‘Bank of England’ and in the bottom right corner, around the number 20.
Metallic thread – there is a metallic thread embedded in every banknote. This appears as silver dashes on the back of the £20 note. If you hold the note up to the light the metallic thread appears as a continuous dark line.
Watermark – hold the £20 note up to the light and you will see an image of the Queen’s portrait together with a bright £20.
Print Quality – the printed lines and colours on the £20 note are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges.
Microlettering – Using a magnifying glass, look closely at the lettering beneath the Queen’s portrait on the £20 note – you will see the value of the note written in small letters and numbers.
Ultra-violet feature – if you look at the front of the £20 note under a good quality ultra-violet light the number 20 appears in bright red and green. Randomly spread bright red and green flecks are also visible on both the front and back of the note. The remainder of the note appears dull in contrast.
Holographic strip – the strip on the £20 note has a number of foil patches along its length which contain alternating holographic images. The positioning of the patches varies along the strip. When the note is tilted, one hologram shows a multi-coloured image of Adam Smith, the other changes between a multi-coloured £ symbol and the number 20. The number 20 is also embossed on the strip and is positioned in the same place on every note – just to the right of the signature of the Chief Cashier.
See-through register – hold the £20 note up to the light and you will see coloured irregular shapes printed on the front and back that combine to form the £ symbol.
If you have any information about counterfeit currency, then please contact Gwent Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.