2017-07-01 Sat

Cops are telling businesses to be cautious as counterfeit $100 notes are circulating in North Queensland. A South Townsville business owner found a $100 counterfeit note trying to be used during a transaction at a store. The honest business owner reported the incident to the police. Although the note looks real, the police are still urging local businesses to be vigilant. It comes after a Cairns business owner discovered a counterfeit $100 note in their daily takings.

Australian bank notes are always printed on plastic and have an authentic feel about them. A counterfeit bank note is comparatively too thick or too thin. To know if it’s original or not, you can try scrunching the note and if it doesn’t spring back then it is definitely a fake one.

Police have urged local businesses to be on the lookout for counterfeit $100 notes circulating throughout Far North Queensland.

If you hold the note to the light, you should see the Australian Coat of Arms and if you don’t then the answer is pretty obvious.

The original bank note has diamond shaped patterns printed inside a circle on both sides. When the bank note is brought closer to the light, the patterns can be clearly seen, forming a seven pointed star. Also, another feature is the clear window print, which is an integral part of the bank note. Also look for the embossing – there is a wave pattern in the window of the $10 banknote, and the value of the banknote in the windows of $20, $50 and $100 banknotes.