Halton shoppers warned to watch out for fake £20 notes (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Fake £20 notes found in Halton

10:51am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan

SHOPPERS are being warned to be vigilant after fake £20 notes have been discovered in Halton.

Local businesses are also advised to check that currency is genuine.

Halton & Warrington Trading Standards have issued the following checklist of what to look out for.

Bank notes are printed on special paper which gives them their unique feel. By running your fingers across the front of a note you can feel the raised print in areas such as the words Bank of England and in the bottom right corner, around the number 20. This can also be viewed from the front of the note.

Check the metallic thread, it should appear as a continuous line if held up to the light.

Check the watermark, hold the note up to the light with the back of the note facing you. In the clear area on the right, you will see an image of the queen’s portrait together with a bright £20.

Check the hologram, when you tilt the note, one hologram shows a multi- coloured image of a male, Adam Smith, the other changes between a multi-coloured £ symbol and the number 20.

Check the print quality, the images should be sharp, not blurred.

Check under an ultraviolet light, the note’s value appears in bright red and green numbers while the rest of the note remains dull.

Check the micro-lettering under the Queen’s head , the value of the note is written in letters and numerals Use a UV marker pen on £20 note. A genuine note does not absorb the liquid from a UV marker pen.

Holding on to counterfeit notes is a criminal offence. If you discover you are in possession of a fake note, please do not try to use it or pass it on. Hand it into your nearest bank.

If you have any information in relation to fake banknotes please contact the Police on 101.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please pass this information on to family, friends, neighbours and anyone you know maybe vulnerable.

For general consumer advice please contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or go to http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/