1. Spotting a fake paper or polymer note
Polymer ₤ 5 and ₤ 10 notes have actually totally changed paper notes since 2018, while this year has seen the release of polymer ₤ 20 notes into circulation.
All notes will be polymer by the end of 2021, when the Bank of England expects to have actually issued a ₤ 50 polymer note.
But with paper notes still in blood circulation and polymer notes having additional safety features to make them more difficult to counterfeit, what should you be looking out for to identify if your money is fake?
Initially, let's take a look at how to spot a fake paper banknote. If you're particularly thinking about spotting fake plastic notes, scroll directly to point 8.
These are printed on an unique material, so make sure you inspect how the paper feels.
A real banknote has a cloth-like feel, while a phony note will feel more like standard paper.
₤ 50 banknote (Image: Bank of England).
2. Raised print.
Run your finger across the paper note and if it's genuine, you ought to have the ability to feel the raised print on locations such as the words 'Bank of England' on the front.
If it's a fake, the note is not likely to have a textured feel to it and will feel flat all over.
3. Check the metallic thread.
A metallic thread is embedded in every paper banknote.
This appears as silver dashes on the back of paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes (see more information on finding fake paper ₤ 20 notes on this Bank of England page).
The thread is woven through the paper-- not just printed on-- so when you hold it as much as the light it must look like a constant dark line.
This looks like brilliant green dashes on the front of ₤ 50 notes.
Each dash is really a window which includes pictures of the '₤' symbol and the number '50'. When the note is tilted 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 '₤' symbol swap places.
4. Examine the watermark.
If you hold a real note approximately the light, you need to see a picture of the Queen's picture.
Nevertheless, if you can still see the watermark when the note is flat and not held up to the light, it's likely to be a dodgy note.
5. Check the print quality.
The printed lines and colours on genuine notes will be detailed and sharp and devoid of spots or blurred edges. So make certain you inspect the detail carefully.
If the quality is bad or unpleasant, you've got yourself a phony!
6. Examine under ultra-violet light.
This isn't so helpful if you've just been offered a banknote in a store, but if you're actually figured out to discover whether your note is fake or real, put it under ultra-violet light.
If it's the genuine deal, its worth will appear in brilliant red and green numbers while the background will be dull in contrast.
The paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes likewise have brilliant red and green flecks randomly topped the front and back of the note.
7. Use a magnifying glass.
Use a magnifying Buy counterfeit money online glass to look carefully at the lettering underneath the Queen's portrait. On a genuine note, ornamental swirls spell out the worth of the note in small letters and characters.