How To Spot Fake Currency From 8 Different Countries

When you’re on holiday abroad dealing with unfamiliar foreign money, it can be tricky to spot real notes from counterfeit ones. But the same can also be true for British currency if you aren’t aware of the signs to look out for.

The idea of being conned, especially when away from home, most likely fills you with dread.

To stop you being duped and help you spot the imitation from the real deal, some top tips on how to spot counterfeit cash from eight different countries.

US dollars

There are several clues to look out for on an American dollar bill...

1. Fold one side of the note before unfolding it to an angle of around 130˚. Hover a magnet over the '1' and watch closely. If the note moves, it's real.

2. Compare the serial number to the Treasury Seal. If they do not match, the note is a fake.

3. If the serial number matches that of another note, it’s counterfeit. Serial numbers are the biggest giveaways on these notes, so keep your eyes peeled.

4. The note's borders should be clear and unbroken and in no way blurred – if not, your money could be fake.

Euros

1. When you tilt the Euro notes of €50, €100, €200 or €500 you should see the numbers changing colour from purple to olive green or brown. This is a feature that real notes have so if it doesn't do this you may have counterfeit cash.

2. Check the microprint through a magnifying glass – real notes are clear and sharp.

3. Authentic Euro notes are bumpy to the touch where the print is raised. Run your fingers across the note to check.

Australian dollars

1. Hold the Australian dollar up to the light to check if you can see the Australian Coat of Arms on the right-hand side of the note. It needs this mark to be real.

2. There should be raised ink on the darker areas of the banknotes – feel with your finger to check.

3. Look for the round circle with the diamond-shaped pattern, then hold it up to the light. If real, the patterns will line up to form a seven-pointed star.

Japanese yen

1. When you tilt the note, the cherry blossom hologram should change colour and design. If it doesn't, you've got a fake.

2. Viewed at an angle, the value of the note will appear on the bottom left of the front side, while the word 'NIPPON' ('Japan' in Japanese) will show on the top right of the back.

3. If you've got ultraviolet light available then you can check to see if the note has the Governor’s seal on the front side. It should glow orange under this light.

Mexican peso

1. All Mexican banknotes have a watermark added to them. To check of its existence, view the note through a backlight – the silhouette image should appear in an otherwise clear area of the note.

2. The larger currency notes in Mexico have a security bar printed on them. This thread-like structure should look perfectly complete when held up to the light.

Canadian dollars

1. To the right-hand side of a Canadian note, check that the large frame around the metallic portrait of the Queen and a building is transparent. If not, it's a fake.

2. Tilt the note to check that the building on the cash changes colour. This is a sign of authenticity.

3. On the left-hand side of the Queen there should be a maple leaf against a transparent background.

United Arab Emirates dirham

1. If the dirham note is smooth all over and not raised in places, there's a chance it could be a fake.

2. Under ultraviolet light, the value of the note should appear in bright red, gold and green.

3. The metallic thread that runs across the note should be unbroken and dark. This is a sign that it's genuine.

British pounds

As well as foreign currency, it's also essential to be clued up with the signs of counterfeit notes on money closer to home...

1. Remember that British currency notes come in a range of sizes. Notes get slightly larger as they increases in value, so a £5 note should never be the same size as another value.

2. Real £5 and £10 notes have a transparent window with a clearly defined portrait of the Queen and the value of the note printed twice around the edge.

3. When holding £20 and £50 notes up to the light, check for the watermark – an image of the Queen in the clear oval area in the middle of the note.

4. A thread should appear as a continuous dark line on British notes. However, with the £20 note a dashed silver metallic thread runs from top to bottom on the note's reverse side.

5. Ultraviolet light can help decipher whether the note is real or not. Under this light the number on each note should appear vibrant and bright – contrasting dramatically against a dull background.

6. For the £5 and £10 note, the ultraviolet effect will make the number of the value on the note appear bright red and green.

7. The words 'Bank of England' will be raised on a real note.

So now you know the signs, you can enjoy your holiday knowing you aren't being conned with counterfeit money.