Fake $50 and $100 notes are flooding the Hills

THOUSANDS of dollars worth of fake $50 and $100 notes are being circulated in the Hills district in Sydney’s northwest.

Inspector Jim Szabo with a number of fake counterfeit $50 and $100 notes

THOUSANDS of dollars worth of fake $50 and $100 notes are being circulated in the Hills.

Last week alone more than $1350 worth of counterfeit notes were handed into Hills police after being identified by banks, hotels, clubs and pubs as fake.

Inspector Jim Szabo at Castle Hill police station urged people to double check notes, especially $50 and $100 notes.

“These are very high quality copies,” he said.

“People need to pay attention.”

He said counterfeit notes had turned up at numerous retail outlets, grocery chains and pubs and banks all over the Hills including Annangrove, Rouse Hill, Kellyville, Castle, Hill, Baulkham Hills and Dural.

Fake notes at Castle Hill police station counterfeit/fake $50 or $100.

He said the texture was different and the colour was slightly off and urged people to “really examine” the notes they were given.

Hills Local Area Commander Supt Rob Critchlow warned people not to accept any currency they suspected may not be genuine.

He said it was important people reported suspicious currency to police as soon as possible.

Call Hills police on 9680 5399 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For how to check on fakes visit www.banknotes.rba.gov.au

1) IS IT PLASTIC?

Australian banknotes are printed on plastic and have a distinct feel. A suspect banknote may feel excessively thick or thin compared to a genuine banknote. It is difficult to start a tear along the edge of a genuine banknote. You can also try scrunching the banknote in your hand — a genuine banknote should spring back.

2 LOOK FOR THE COAT OF ARMS

If you hold the banknote to the light, you should see the Australian Coat of Arms.

3 LOOK FOR THE STAR

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.

Inspector Jim Szabo with a number of fake counterfeit $50 and $100 notes handed in to Castle Hill Police.

4 CHECK THE CLEAR WINDOW

The clear window should be an integral part of the banknote and not an addition. 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.

Other security features to check if you suspect a banknote might be counterfeit:

5 FEEL THE DARK PRINTING

It is produced with a special raised ink that can be felt with your finger.

6 CHECK THE PRINT QUALITY

The background printing should be sharp. Check for irregularities such as less clearly defined patterns, thicker or thinner lines, or colour differences.

7 LOOK FOR THE MICROPRINTING

Under a magnifying glass you will see tiny, clearly defined words on the top left corner of the $5 banknote and near the portraits on the other banknotes.

8 LOOK AT THE BANKNOTE UNDER UV LIGHT

Most of the banknote should not fluoresce. The exceptions are the serial numbers, a patch on the $5 banknote and a patch on the $20, $50 and $100 banknotes that also shows the value

Inspector Jim Szabo with a number of fake counterfeit $50 and $100 notes