How to recognize a counterfeit euro banknote: three steps and helpful advice

Ten days before the introduction of the euro in our country and cases of detained counterfeiters of the currency - we draw attention to euro banknotes and their distinctive signs. According to data from the European Central Bank, the most counterfeited are the 20 and 50 euro notes. They represent 75% of all withdrawn counterfeit banknotes. The latest ECB data show that a total of 554,000 banknotes have been withdrawn from circulation.

Two series of euro banknotes are in circulation. One was issued in 2002, and the second - the "Europa" series, began to enter circulation in 2013, and something interesting - it contains a portrait of Europa, a heroine from Greek mythology. The difference between the two series, besides visual, is also that in the second there is no 500 euro note, although it is still in circulation. How to recognize counterfeit from real banknotes?

There are three steps to check if a banknote is genuine - or the method known as "feel, look and tilt".

Kirilka Epitropova, chief dealer: The paper is a little more specific, it has a relief. So the first thing you need to do is feel it with your fingers. The second thing you can do is hold the banknote up to the light or something darker in the background.

If the watermark is real, it is transparent, on the counterfeits, experts say, it is simply drawn.

What counterfeiters still cannot do like people is the watermark. It is, in fact, cut into the paper itself. And when you hold it up to the light, you should see through it.

According to data from the European Central Bank, less than 1% of all found counterfeit banknotes are 500 euros, which have not been in production since 2019, but remain legal tender.

If someone comes to you and says - I have 500 euros, please check the banknote a little more than you would pay attention. I am only worried that there are people who would take advantage of other people who do not know the banknotes, these are some of the elderly, young children, and in large cash transactions.

And another thing - the advice of the law enforcement agencies is to exchange money in banks and exchange offices, and not on the street, so that people do not become victims of fraud.