Counterfeit cash is at an 8-year high in Australia, new figures show. Here’s how to spot it

More than 40,000 fake notes – mostly $50 and $100 in cash – were detected in the past year alone. Authorities warn of a ‘concerning improvement’ in quality.

It’s against the law to knowingly possess or use counterfeit banknotes. So what do you if you’re suspicious?

The Reserve Bank provides advice on how to check your banknotes to make sure they are not counterfeit.

Their recommended quick checks are to feel it, hold it to the light, and then tilt it.

Older 1990s polymer notes show a star and coat of arms through the window.

The newer next generation notes go further: a bird’s wings lift and change colour, a number reverses, and colour rolls across a patch.

If a note feels wrong, the official advice is to bag it, note how you got it, and report and hand it to police.

You can refuse to accept a suspect note (if you feel it is safe to do so).

Your state and territory police are the appropriate law enforcement agencies to contact.

You can also complete an online suspect counterfeit banknote form and submit it to the Australian Federal Police.

australia

@aussie.zone

A place to discuss Australia and important Australian issues.

Before you post:

If you're posting anything related to:

The Environment, post it to Aussie Environment
Politics, post it to Australian Politics
World News/Events, post it to World News
A question to Australians (from outside) post it to Ask an Australian

If you're posting Australian News (not opinion or discussion pieces) post it to Australian News

Rules

This community is run under the rules of aussie.zone. In addition to those rules:

When posting news articles use the source headline and place your commentary in a separate comment

Banner Photo

Congratulations to @Tau@aussie.zone who had the most upvoted submission to our banner photo competition

Recommended and Related Communities

Be sure to check out and subscribe to our related communities on aussie.zone:

Plus other communities for sport and major cities.

https://aussie.zone/communities

Moderation

Since Kbin doesn't show Lemmy Moderators, I'll list them here. Also note that Kbin does not distinguish moderator comments.

Additionally, we have our instance admins: @lodion@aussie.zone and @Nath@aussie.zone

go to feed...