THE CENTRAL Bank in Ireland is warning consumers to be on the lookout for counterfeit notes during the festive shopping season.

The bank says that the increased amount of cash in circulation over the festive period creates a greater opportunity for counterfeiters to pass off fake notes.

Consumers are advised to check any notes that look suspicious and to take them to the gardaí if needs be.

The Central Bank say that when a real banknote is held up to the light, a picture and the value of the note become visible as a watermark and a security thread can be seen as a dark line.

Additionally, on genuine €5, €10 and €20 notes a hologram appears on the foil stripe on the front of the note, while on higher value notes the hologram appears on the foil patch on the front of the note.

© Irish Post, 2006.

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