The introduction of the Euro in 2002 proved itself an undoubted boon for holidaymakers – no more currency exchange at every border, no more nightmare of trying to convert Francs to Deutschemarks to Lira to Peseta and no more being left with £50 equivalent of coins and notes of multiple currencies on you return from holiday.  Fantastic!

Unfortunately, the Euro has also proved itself to be irresistible to counterfeiters.

Since as early as 2003 Police have issued various warnings that counterfeit Euro notes are in circulation on the continent and numerous entreaties to holidaymakers to take precautions and check that the notes they receive from other than banks are genuine. Check the notes you receive as change in taxis and restaurants was the cry.

Further, in July 2008, the European Central Bank (ECB) said that the amount of fake euro banknotes was on the rise, with the amount seized jumping more than 15% in the first six months of 2008. It said most were bogus €50 and €20 notes; although high quality €200 and €500 notes are also being made

However, despite all these warnings most British holidaymakers remain foolishly ignorant of even the most basic of tests to verify whether the notes they are being offered are genuine or counterfeit.

Unfortunately for these unwitting tourists, Europeans are very aware of how to check the validity of their own bank notes and are obliged to call the police when someone attempts to spend a counterfeit note.  As a consequence British holidaymakers are exposing themselves to the very real risk of being arrested when trying to spend their holiday money, charged with currency fraud and potentially prosecuted and invited to extend their holiday in a foreign jail (perhaps not the sun, sea and sand vacation they had planned!).

And it’s so unnecessary. A few simple checks is all it takes.

Spotting Counterfeit Euros

Whilst, in the interest of security, the exhaustive list of security features on the Euro is a closely-guarded secret, the ECB has described some of the more rudimentary security features of the euro note to enable the general public to authenticate their currency at a glance.

1.     Raised printing

The “BCE ECB EZB EKT EKP” characters in the top middle of the front of the note are raised to the touch.

2.     Watermark

The blank/uncoloured area on the left-hand side when looking at the front of a Euro note contains a watermark. Holding the note up to the light should reveal this watermark.

3.     See through number print registration

The value of the note in the upper-left corner on the front of the note is printed incompletely. When held up to the light the denomination (eg 5, 10, 20, 50 etc) is visible in its entirety (and is perfect ie looks like a perfect 5, 10, 20 etc).

4.     Security thread

Just like most bank notes of the world. All Euros contain a black magnetic thread in the middle of the note. This magnetic thread is only seen when held up to the light and (if your eyes are good enough) it shows the denomination of the note, along with the word “euro”.

5.     Hologram:

The €5, €10 and €20 notes carry a holographic band on the right side of the front of the note. This band is imprinted with the note’s denomination; e.g., “€5 €5 €5….” in the case of the €5 note.

In the case of the €50 notes and higher, the band is replaced with a holographic decal.

FEEL-LOOK-TILT:

In summary, there is no excuse, counterfeit Euro notes can easily be distinguished from genuine banknotes by using the FEEL-LOOK-TILT test:

• Feel the raised print at the top of the front of the note.
• Look at the banknote and hold it up to the light: the watermark, the security thread and the see-through number will then be visible. All three features can be seen from the front and back of genuine banknotes.
• Tilt the banknote: on the front, you can see the shifting image on the hologram. On the back, you can see the glossy stripe (on the ¬5, ¬10 and ¬20 banknotes) or the colour-changing number (on the ¬50, ¬100, ¬200 and ¬500 banknotes).

So, for that happy relaxing golf holiday, get peace of mind by booking your golf holiday accommodation in Portugal or Spain direct via PackYourClubs.com and check every Euro note you are offered. It only takes a few seconds to check a banknote. If in doubt don’t accept it and ask for a replacement and threaten to call the police.