Article: published on 18 February 2026
Former Detective Rav WIlding
Police warning over fake £20 notes. What you need to check before accepting cash
- Published
A fresh warning from police has put counterfeit £20 notes back in the spotlight.
Leicestershire Police say they've received more than 30 reports in recent months from people who were handed fake banknotes after selling items online. In many cases, the transactions happened at home, not in shops.
Former Detective Rav Wilding joined BBC Morning Live with his tips on how to spot whether a bank note you have in your hand is real.
Widespread issue
This is not isolated. Nottinghamshire Police also issued a warning recently about counterfeit notes being used in private sales. And in St Ives, Cornwall, police launched an appeal after someone sold a bike for £4,700 in fake cash.
Counterfeit money is often associated with busy retail environments. Staff in shops and restaurants are trained to spot the signs. What is changing is where it is happening. Increasingly, private sellers are being targeted through online marketplaces.
If you are meeting someone to sell an item for cash, especially high value goods, you need to know what to look for.
How to check if a bank note is genuine
Check the holographic window
On genuine polymer £20 notes there is a large transparent window. Inside it you should see a portrait of King Charles III or Queen Elizabeth II. Around the edge of the window the value of the note and the words Bank of England are printed twice. The window should be clear and sharply defined, not cloudy or blurred.
Tilt the foil
On the front of the note there is a silver foil patch with a hologram. When you tilt the note, the words change, for example between "Twenty" and "Pounds". If the image does not shift cleanly when you move it, treat the note with suspicion.
Feel the raised print
Genuine notes have raised print you can feel with your fingers. The words Bank of England and the number value in the bottom right corner should have a textured finish. If the surface feels completely smooth, that is a red flag.
Do not rely on counterfeit pens
You can buy so called counterfeit detection pens online, but they were designed for older paper notes. Since the UK switched to polymer notes, they are no longer reliable. Checking the built in security features is far more effective.
Compare with a genuine note
If you are unsure, compare the suspect note with one you know is genuine. Look at the colours, the clarity of the print and the feel. Small differences can be easier to spot side by side.
Consider safer payment methods
If possible, ask for a bank transfer instead of cash. A transfer leaves a digital trail and removes the risk of being left out of pocket with fake notes. If you do accept cash, count and check each note carefully before handing over the item.
What happens if you receive a fake note?
According to the Bank of England, you cannot be reimbursed for counterfeit banknotes. That means you carry the loss if you accept one. If you believe you have been given a fake note, you should take it to your local police station and report the incident.
With reports coming from different parts of the country, this is not confined to one area. If you are selling anything for cash, especially high value items, take a few extra minutes to check the notes. It could save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds.