PEOPLE in Redditch are being warned about forged bank notes used in the borough during transactions for unwanted items advertised on social media.
West Mercia Police has received reports of a man attempting to buy mobile phones in Redditch via Facebook in the past couple of weeks using counterfeit money.
Officers want residents to be on their guard and are reminding them there are some simple checks they can make to identify a fake bank note.
The first is the holographic foil strip – on a genuine note, the wording in this strip will change from the value of the note to ‘pounds’, for example from ‘twenty’ to ‘pounds’, but on a counterfeit note, this word is fixed.
People can also check the ‘Bank of England’ name on the back of the note. On a genuine one, this will be raised – on a counterfeit one it will be smooth to touch.
Anyone wanting further information on notes they can check should visit: orlo.uk/DIet5 for details of £20 notes and orlo.uk/m0IIK on the £10 ones.
People can also visit: orlo.uk/YJjww for more general information on checking whether notes are genuine or not.
And, anyone with any information on people supplying, selling or using counterfeit bank notes can go to: orlo.uk/kkmFn to report it to the police.
Anyone who finds they have received a fake note needs to report it to the police immediately – either via the website or by calling 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
