Police are warning members of the public to be on alert after counterfeit cash has been reported being handed to businesses across the Hunter Valley.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were alerted after counterfeit $50- and $100-dollar notes were handed to businesses in Cessnock, Kurri Kurri, Muswellbrook, Scone, Singelton, Blandford, Cliftleigh, Glendon, Merriwa and Middle Falbrook between May and October.
Officers have seized the notes, which amount to over $2,600 in counterfeit notes, and say inquiries are now underway.
Tips from NSW Police to spot a counterfeit note include:
– Feel the note – a genuine note is printed on special plastic polymer and is difficult to tear
– Check for words that mark the note as counterfeit such as ‘prop’ or ‘specimen’
– Hold the note to the light and look for the Australian Coat of Arms. This is generally located to the left of the clear window, or denomination numeral when looking at the front of the note.
– Feel for slightly raised printing on the main design of the note
– Look for the seven-pointed star inside a circle
– Compare the background printing – look for any distortions or less clearly defined patterns.
– Check that the note has a clear window and that it has a clear printed image: $50 has the Southern Cross and the $100 has the lyrebird.
– If possible, look under a UV light to locate the serial numbers.
