Police issue warning over fake $50 notes circulating in New South Wales

Australian shoppers have been told to check their cash after a string of NSW businesses reported counterfeit $50 notes to police.

The fake cash was handed to businesses in Merimbula and Eden on the state's south coast on New Year's Day.

Employees suspected the notes were counterfeit due to a faulty transparent panel and handed the cash to police to investigate.

READ MORE: Cash may no longer be king, but here's why it looks set to stay

Plastic counterfeit currency is usually noticeably thicker than the real thing but police have also encountered poor quality, paper fakes.

The Christmas and New Year break is a key tourism period for the NSW South Coast, with an influx of visitors from across the state and country.

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How to spot a fake $50 note:

• Feel the note – a genuine note is printed on special plastic polymer and is difficult to tear
• Hold the note to the light and look for the Australian Coat of Arms. This is generally located to the left of the clear window, or denomination numeral when looking at the front of the note.
• Feel for slightly raised printing on the main design of the note
• Look for the seven-pointed star inside a circle
• Compare the background printing - look for any distortions or less clearly defined patterns.
• Check that the note has a clear window and that it has a clear printed image: $50 has the Southern Cross and the $100 has the lyrebird.
• If possible, look under a UV light to locate the serial numbers.

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