Businesses urged to remain vigilant after counterfeit $50 notes found on Gold Coast

GOLD Coast businesses are being urged to remain vigilant after reports of counterfeit money being used around a number of suburbs. Here’s how you can make sure you have the real thing.

GOLD Coast businesses are being urged to remain vigilant after several reports of counterfeit money being used in the city recently.

Police say a number of fake $50 notes have been passed at businesses on the northern Gold Coast in the past few days.

The notes were used at licensed premises, gaming areas and service stations.

Can you spot the difference between fakes and real notes? (Hint: check the top of the note for colouring being scraped away. That’s a big sign it’s possibly fake.) Picture: supplied

An example of a fake $50 note found on the Gold Coast recently. Picture: supplied

A Queensland Police spokesman said the counterfeit $50 notes have a “very good likeness” to the real thing.

“The $50 notes have different serial numbers and are a very good likeness however the feel of the note is not totally authentic and some of the colouring rubs away if rubbed vigorously with your finger,” the spokesman said.

A number of fake $50 notes were found during a police raid on the Gold Coast last year. Photo: supplied

“It also has a lack of coat of arms watermark when held to the light.”

Last year, Gold Coast businesses were hit by a wave of counterfeit cash with 57 incidents reported at Southport, Biggera Waters, Robina, Surfers Paradise and Parkwood.

Things to look out for when looking for a counterfeit $50 note from the RBA website.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Dane Sheraton told the Bulletin counterfeit notes looked real in photos but could be detected through feeling the notes and identical serial numbers.

“Advice on how to identify counterfeit notes is available through the Reserve Bank of Australia website, but you should check notes for the security features including the coat of arms watermark, the clear plastic window is part of the note and not stuck on, and the Southern Cross stars look genuine and do not scratch off with moderate rubbing,” he said.

Anyone who has any information to offer police about counterfeit notes are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

An example of a suspect $50 note found.

How to spot counterfeit notes:

1. Is it plastic?: You can scrunch the banknote in your hand and 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.

4. Check the clear window: It should be an integral part of the banknote not an addition.