Close
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find our response to the coronavirus outbreak and how to report someone breaching the social restrictions
Counterfeit Cash
Counterfeit money is made up of imitation notes or coins produced by criminals. The fraudsters often use sophisticated printing techniques to make the counter counterfeit cash appear genuine.
-
What should I do with counterfeit money?
If you have found or been given cash that you believe may be counterfeit please take it into your local bank. If you work in a shop or business and someone has tried to pay with counterfeit money, try and keep the note if doing so will not place anyone in danger. Then take the note or notes to your local police station or report it by using our Live Chat facility, which can be accessed by clicking the button on the right of the screen. You can see our chat opening hours here. If Live Chat is unavailable call us on 101.
Please make sure you provide as much information as you can.
-
What if the notes are dyed?
If you find a dyed note, please tell us where you found it. You can do this by using our Live Chat facility, which can be accessed by clicking the button on the right of the screen. You can see our chat opening hours here. If Live Chat is unavailable call us on 101.
If it is safe to do so, please preserve the dyed note, as it could help us in our investigation.
-
How can I recognise a fake note?
You can find out more by visiting the Bank of England’s website.
Useful Links
- Visit the Bank of England’s website to find out what to do if you’re given a fake bank note, as well as how to spot one.
- To read advice from the National Crime Agency about counterfeit currency, visit their website.