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CUMBRIAN post offices are warning local businesses and residents to be on the lookout for fraudulent £20 notes that they have intercepted in Barrow and Windermere.
The Windermere Post Office on Crescent Road, and Barrow’s Happy Little Gift Company at Salthouse Post Office on Risedale Road have both discovered that fake polymer £20 were unknowingly handed into them by local businesses.
The polymer notes, which came in circulation in February 2020, were described as the most secure banknotes ever.
Colleagues from the Royal Mail are now pushing for more awareness for businesses and the public of how to identify fraudulent currency.
Postal master for Windermere, Mr Nigel Bartlett said: “These new notes have been around for a while, but two businesses tried to pay the notes I found in on Friday.
“They did so in good faith and they themselves didn’t realise these weren’t real, but that means it’s a loss for them.
“They likely took them in good faith from a customer who likely themselves didn’t know, considering the rate money changes hand. These notes are very convincing.
“The area manager had warned of more notes like these, particularly in the FY post code and it seems they have now reached the lakes.
“Other colleagues of mine has said they found similar notes, which even had the same serial numbers of them.
“It is a big problem in society and everyone needs to be vigilant. Be aware of them and every business and resident should be careful to check their notes.”
Marianne Livesey, a post office worker for the past 22 years, and current post mistress for the Salt House in Barrow has launched a TikTok video instructing others of the tell-tale signs to see if a note is fake.
She said: “These are some of the most convincing fakes I have ever seen.
“These notes have had different markers about them that made it clear they weren’t real, and the quality wasn’t as good.
“Somethings even peel off the note.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen these notes but others have had them.
“I visited some of the local businesses and showed them the notes so they knew what to look for.
“These are some of the best forges I’ve ever seen”
The post office has published a video on TikTok to show others the tell-tale signs behind fake notes.
