Police urge public to check cash after counterfeit notes found in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire Police have received a number of reports in the last week that fake cash is doing the rounds.
And they are warning people to be extra vigilant.
They say nationally, there has been a rise in offenders targeting private sellers on online marketplaces.
And in a post on social media, told people to make sure they know what to look out for:
Feel the texture – genuine polymer notes have raised print, particularly on ‘Bank of England’ and in the corners
Tilt the note – the hologram should change between the note’s value (for example: ‘20’ and the word ‘pounds’)
Check the holographic window – around the edge of the window the value of the note and the words 'Bank of England' are printed twice. The window should be clear and sharply defined, not cloudy or blurred
Compare with a genuine note – if you are unsure, compare the suspect note with one you know is genuine
If you do discover a counterfeit note, don’t attempt to use it. It has no monetary value and must be surrendered to the police or your nearest bank.