Counterfeit Currency

Tue, 2005-08-02

The Bermuda Police Service continues to intercept counterfeit currency presently in circulation on the island, particularly Bermuda $50 and $100 notes. We are urging businesses and members of the public to be extremely vigilant when handling Bermuda $50 and $100 notes, especially Bermuda $100 notes bearing the serial numbers D/1 038471, C/1 438445, D/1 118858, and Bermuda $50 notes bearing the serial number D/1 889821 which are counterfeit. The Bermuda $100 notes are of better quality than the Bermuda $50 notes; however, none of the forged bills contain the security features embedded in legitimate currency. In order to distinguish a fake Bermuda note from a genuine one, look for the tuna fish watermark (to the left of the note), the silver foil strip (just right of the tuna fish watermark) and the silver ship (to the right of the note). For more information on how to differentiate genuine Bermuda or U.S. currency from counterfeit Bermuda or U.S. currency, click here. So far this year, there have been 99 reported incidents of forged notes with a face value of approximately $7,100. Anyone with any information about these incidents is encouraged to contact Police on 295-0011, the Fraud Unit on 299-4330 or the confidential Crimestoppers Hotline on 1-800-623-8477.