1. Spotting a phony paper or polymer note
Polymer ₤ 5 and ₤ 10 notes have entirely replaced paper notes given that 2018, while this year has seen the release of polymer ₤ 20 notes into blood circulation.
All notes will be polymer by the end of 2021, when the Bank of England expects to have provided a ₤ 50 polymer note.
However with paper notes still in circulation and polymer notes having extra security functions to make them harder to counterfeit, what should you be keeping an eye out for to spot if your money is phony?
Initially, let's take a look at how to spot a fake paper banknote. If you're particularly thinking about spotting fake plastic notes, scroll directly to point 8.
These are printed on a special material, so ensure you inspect how the paper feels.
A real banknote has a cloth-like feel, while a fake note will feel more like standard paper.
₤ 50 banknote (Image: Bank of England).
2. Raised print.
Run your finger across the paper note and if it's authentic, you need to be able to feel the raised print on locations such as the words 'Bank of England' on the front.
If it's a counterfeit, the note is unlikely to have a textured feel to it and will feel flat all over.
3. Check the metallic thread.
A metallic thread is embedded in every paper banknote.
This appears as silver dashes on the back of paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes (see more info on finding phony paper ₤ 20 notes on this Bank of England page).
The thread is woven through the paper-- not simply printed on-- so when you hold it approximately the light it need to look like a constant dark line.
This looks like intense green dashes on the front of ₤ 50 notes.
Each dash is in fact a window which consists of pictures of the '₤' sign and the number '50'. When the note is slanted from side to side, the images move up and down.
When the note is tilted up and down, the images move from side to side and the number '50' and '₤' symbol swap places.
4. Check the watermark.
If you hold Buy fake money a real note approximately the light, you need to see a picture of the Queen's picture.
However, if you can still see the watermark when the note is flat and not held up to the light, it's likely to be a dodgy note.
5. Check the print quality.
The printed lines and colours on genuine notes will be detailed and sharp and devoid of spots or blurred edges. So make certain you inspect the detail carefully.
If the quality is bad or unpleasant, you've got yourself a phony!
6. Examine under ultra-violet light.
This isn't so helpful if you've just been offered a banknote in a shop, but if you're actually determined to learn whether your note is phony or authentic, put it under ultra-violet light.
If it's the real offer, its worth will appear in brilliant red and green numbers while the background will be dull in contrast.
The paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes likewise have brilliant red and green flecks randomly spread out over the front and back of the note.
7. Use a magnifying glass.
Utilize a magnifying glass to look carefully at the lettering beneath the Queen's picture. On an authentic note, decorative swirls define the value of the note in little letters and numerals.