Recent spike in counterfeit banknotes could be robbing you blind
If you live in or have travelled to Melbourne recently you might want to check your notes.
An influx of counterfeit $100 notes have been sent into circulation with many not being able to tell the difference.
The notes look and feel like the real thing with a similar paper and even the small plastic window. The only telling sign is that each note contains the same serial number “13933231”.
The $100 note is not the most commonly faked note. That honour belongs to the $50.
According to the banks say that there are 3,656 forged $100 notes in 2016 but there were over 22,000 fake $50 notes.
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If you think that you are holding one of the fake notes the Reserve Bank of Australia has a handy guide that gives you all the tips you need to detect fake notes. Including, looking at the star on the note.
According to the RBA, “Diamond-shaped patterns are printed inside a circle on both sides of the banknote. If you hold the banknote up to the light, the patterns should line up perfectly to form a seven-pointed star.”
Another big tell that you have a fake note is the plastic window. According to the RBA, “Check that the white image printed on the window cannot be easily rubbed off. Also look for the embossing – there is a wave pattern in the window of the $10 banknote, and the value of the banknote in the windows of $20, $50 and $100 banknotes.”
Article originally published on Starts at 60.