Retailers in and around Glasgow have taken to social media to warn their peers of non-local customers attempting to use counterfeit Bank of England £20 notes.
What Everyone Wants in Hamilton was first to raise the alarm earlier this month when it shared on Facebook that a customer was intentionally trying to spend fraudulent notes.
“Retailers: please beware this lad was in the area today passing fake Bank of England £20 notes,” the shop posted on Facebook. “This was not an accident as other retailers have been scammed.”
The store added that, worryingly, the note had passed the ultraviolet test.
Shop Smart in Glasgow was also paid a visit by the same customer and an associate. “Just had this guy in our shop buying a packet of bin bags with a fake £20 note,” posted the store. “It passed the UV light, but just didn’t look right. Please be aware, everyone.”
Londis Solo Convenience in Baillieston urged other stores to be vigilant after it, too, came into contact with counterfeit notes.
“We’ve recently been victim to fake Bank of England £20 notes circulating too after none for a good few years,” said owner Natalie Lightfoot. “Please be aware any retailers, shops and restaurants. This is happening in the local areas Hamilton, Motherwell and Glasgow.”
Retailers can check the Bank of England website for further information on how to distinguish whether a £20 note is genuine.
In addition, The National Crime Agency (NCA) has updated advice on how to check Scottish £20 and £50 notes, which it has produced in association with the Association of Commercial Banknote Issuers (ACBI).
Counterfeits continue to be accepted by retailers, although the counterfeit £50 notes are principally being passed outside Scotland, stated NCA.
The ‘Know your Scottish Polymer £20 notes’ and ‘Know your Scottish Polymer £50 notes’ PDFs contain key security features to support retailers in identifying genuine Scottish banknotes.
The group flagged up that on current counterfeit RBS £50 notes the upper half of the hologram/foil strip is gold, and the lower half is silver, whereas the hologram/foil strip on genuine RBS £50 notes is all silver.
Information on how to check other Scottish notes, as well as Northern Ireland notes, can be found here.
