Ballymena businesses urged to stay vigilant as fake £20 and £5 notes circulate

One of the fake £20 Bank of England notes that was passed to a local retailer

Businesses across Ballymena are being urged to remain vigilant following reports of a significant rise in counterfeit bank notes circulating in the town over the past fortnight.

Several local traders have contacted Love Ballymena to warn fellow business owners after discovering fake notes being passed during everyday transactions, particularly in busy retail settings.

According to reports received, a large number of the counterfeit notes are Bank of England £20 and £5 notes. Some businesses have also raised concerns about fake Bank of Scotland £20 notes being used in town centre shops.

One Ballymena business owner described how convincing some of the counterfeit notes appear at first glance, especially during quick cash exchanges.

“These look like real notes, but they have an extra sticker on top which makes it look genuine during a quick exchange of cash. We now run our nail over every Bank of England note to feel for any stickers and verify it is real.”

Another trader warned that counterfeit Scottish notes are also in circulation locally, advising that fake Bank of Scotland £20 notes “are very good copies” and easy to mistake for genuine currency.

Counterfeit Bank of Scotland £20 notes currently in circulation

Impact on Local Traders

For independent retailers and small businesses, the passing of counterfeit notes can have an immediate financial impact, as fake currency is worthless and losses cannot be recovered.

With many shops already operating on tight margins, traders say the incidents serve as a stark reminder of the risks involved in handling cash.

Businesses have stressed that heightened awareness among staff, particularly during busy periods, is crucial to preventing further losses.

Bank of England Advice to Retailers

The Bank of England provides a range of guidance and resources to help retail staff identify counterfeit notes. On its website, it states:

“Counterfeit notes are rare, but it pays to be careful as they are worthless.

“Counterfeiters target businesses where they know that banknotes aren’t being checked properly. People trying to use counterfeit banknotes will often try to buy a low-value item using a high-value note such as a £20 note. This is so that they can get away with your stock and money from your till.

“So we advise you to check notes at the point of sale. Checking banknotes is quick and easy.”

Retailers can access full guidance on checking banknotes, including staff training materials via the Bank of England website:

Bank of England Resources

Recommended Detection Methods

The Bank of England advises businesses on a number of effective ways to check banknotes:

• Ultraviolet (UV) lamps

A UV lamp emitting light at around 365 nanometres is recommended to check fluorescent security features. LED key-fob style detectors are not advised, as they often emit light above 365 nanometres. While some counterfeiters attempt to copy UV features, staff should be trained to recognise the correct colours used in genuine notes.

• Detector pens

Detector pens are not recommended, as they do not reliably identify counterfeits printed on polymer notes.

• Banknote authentication machines

Businesses using authentication machines are advised to ensure their equipment can detect the latest counterfeit notes. The Bank of England publishes a list of approved models and software versions to help businesses make informed choices.

Local traders are continuing to encourage one another to stay alert, particularly during busy trading periods, and to share information quickly if further counterfeit activity is suspected.