1. Spotting a fake paper or polymer note
Polymer ₤ 5 and ₤ 10 notes have actually totally replaced paper notes since 2018, while this year has seen the release of polymer ₤ 20 notes into flow.
All notes will be polymer by the end of 2021, when the Bank of England anticipates to have actually released a ₤ 50 polymer note.
However with paper notes still in blood circulation and polymer notes having extra security functions to make them harder to counterfeit, what should you be watching out for to find if your money is fake?
Initially, let's take a look at how to spot a phony paper banknote. If you're particularly thinking about finding fake plastic notes, scroll straight to point 8.
These are printed on an unique material, so make sure you check how the paper feels.
A genuine banknote has a cloth-like feel, while a phony note will feel more like basic paper.
₤ 50 banknote (Image: Bank of England).
2. Raised print.
Run your finger across the paper note and if it's genuine, you need to have the ability to feel the raised print on areas such as the words 'Bank of England' on the front.
If it's a counterfeit, the note is not likely to have a textured feel to it and will feel flat all over.
3. Inspect the metallic thread.
A metal thread is embedded in every paper banknote.
This appears as silver dashes on the back of paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes (see more details on identifying fake paper ₤ 20 notes on this Bank of England page).
The thread is woven through the paper-- not simply printed on-- so when you hold it up to the light it should look like a continuous dark line.
This looks like bright green dashes on the front of ₤ 50 notes.
Each dash is in fact a window which includes pictures of the '₤' symbol and the number '50'. When the note is slanted from side to side, the images move up and down.
When the note is tilted up and down, the images move from side to side and the number '50' and '₤' sign swap places.
4. Inspect the watermark.
If you hold a genuine note as much as the light, you should see an image of the Queen's picture.
However, if you can still see the watermark when the note is flat and not held up to the light, it's most likely to be a dodgy note.
5. Examine the print quality.
The printed lines and colours on genuine notes will be detailed and sharp and complimentary from smudges or blurred edges. So ensure you examine the information carefully.
If the quality is poor or untidy, you have actually obtained a fake!
6. Check under ultra-violet light.
This isn't so convenient if you have actually simply been given a banknote in a shop, but if you're truly figured out to discover whether your note is phony or genuine, put it under ultra-violet light.
If it's the real offer, its worth will appear in bright red and green numbers while the background will be dull in contrast.
The paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes also have bright red and green flecks randomly topped the front and back of the note.
7. Use a magnifying glass.
Use a magnifying glass to look closely at the lettering fake money for sale below the Queen's portrait. On a genuine note, ornamental swirls define the value of the note in small letters and numerals.