Travelling to a foreign destination can be really hard - aside from the logistics of getting there, you have to contend with things like language barriers and etiquette.

 

After all the other considerations, few of us have the time to stop and think about whether the money in our hands could be fake.

 

But given that, in some countries like Australia, the fake notes are so real even experts are getting confused, it's high time we looked at how to spot the tell-tale signs of counterfeit currency.

 

 

 

More than 33,000 fake Australian $50 have been removed from circulation in the last two years but they look very convincing

 

Just earlier this year, MailOnline reported that Australia has been flooded with more than 33,000 fake AUD$50 notes.

 

Many of these had already been removed from circulation over the last two years but there are no estimates on how many had been produced.

 

Now International Currency Exchange (ICE) has created a series of infographics to reveal the easy ways you can spot fake notes for some of the world's most popular destinations.

 

British Pound

 

Every British pound is embedded with a metallic thread that shows up as a dashed silver strip just off centre

 

A metallic thread is embedded on every British pound.

 

This shows up as a dashed silver strip that runs from the top to the bottom just off centre of the note. 

If you hold the note under a UV light, the numbers should also appear bright and vibrant.

 

Different values will have different security features and the Bank of England has a handy guide to these.

 

The Bank of England also recommends that you check generic features such as the feel of the paper and the raised print. 

 

US Dollars 

 

A magnet is said to affect a US $1 bill but you should also check the clarity of the print to verify authenticity

The US government has a micro-site, which provides the distinguishing features of different denominations of currencies.

 

For example, you should look out for raised printing on a $1 note and check that the serial number matches the Treasury Seal.

 

However, ICE also suggests that you can test the note by folding the bill to an angle of about 130 degrees and then hovering a magnet over it.

 

The note should move when you put the magnet over the number one.

 

You should also check that the outside borders are 'clear and unbroken', that is, there's no blurring in the printing.

 

Euros 

 

New Euro notes recently released by the European Central Bank has improved security features that are worth noting before you travel to one of the 19 countries where it's used

 

Euros are legal tender in 19 countries and the European Central Bank (ECB) has a dedicated website to highlight the security features of the different denominations.

 

In the original release, only notes in denominations of €50 up to €500 change colour when you tilt them.

But the ECB has recently released new €5, €10 and €20 bills with similar colour changing functions and added additional security features.

 

And like other currencies, it's worth feeling for the raised print first. 

 

Australian Dollars

 

Different Australian dollar denominations have different security features but it's worth feeling for raised ink

 

With the recent reports of counterfeit currency in Australia, the Reserve Bank of Australia has released a number of guides to help unsuspecting consumers.

 

Some of these are simple - like checking for raised ink edges and looking out for the coat of arms. 

Some, like the much-counterfeited $50 note, also has add security features.

 

 

How can you recognise a real from a fake $50 note?  

1 – Is it Plastic?

A fake bank note may feel excessively thick or thin unlike a real one which is printed on plastic and has a distinct feel. It is also difficult to tear the edge of a genuine banknote.

The scrunch test can also be a valuable clue – a genuine bank note should spring back

2 – Look for the coat of arms

The Australian Coat of Arms is visible if the banknote is held in the light

3 – Look for the star

Diamond-shaped patterns are printed inside a circle on both sides of the banknote. If you hold the banknote up to the light, the patterns should line up perfectly to form a seven-pointed star.

4 – Check the clear window

The clear window should be an integral part of the banknote and not an addition. Check that the white image printed on the window cannot be easily rubbed off.

Source: The Reserve Bank of Australia

 

 

Japanese Yen

 

Bank of Japan uses an ink made from pearls on some of its notes so that it changes colour as you tilt the note 

 

If you don't read Japanese, identifying a note can be hard enough.

 

But the Bank of Japan has a handy guide to its currency in English, complete with pictures, that will show you exactly how to identify real from fake.

 

Some of these features including the use of an ink made from pearls that changes colour when you tilt the bank note.

 

Parts of the note will also show up differently under UV light. 

 

Mexican Peso

 

On a 50 peso note, look out for the two butterflies. One will change colour while the other only appears when you put the money against another background

 

Mexico's Banco de México has a guide to all of the current bank notes and coins in circulation.

After brushing up on the specification, you can even test yourself with their quiz.

 

On a 50 peso note for example, one of the first things you should look out for are the two butterflies.

 

One has two colours while the second only appears when you put the money against another background.

 

ICE also says that the latest series of notes have a security thread that will react to a specific frequency of radio waves.

 

Canadian dollars

 

The normal Canadian $20 has 18 security features that you can look out for but there's also a commemorative version in the same denomination

 

There's a number of security features to look out for on a Canadian bank note, including a transparent portion on one side. 

 

The person featured on the transparent panel should be the same as in the main picture and in the case of this $20 note, it is Queen Elizabeth II. 

 

On the Bank of Canada's website, you can also explore 17 other security features using their interactive guide to Canadian dollars.

 

In particular, you can see the differences between the normal $20 and the commemorative $20 note.

Culled from Mail Online