How to avoid counterfeit euro bills?

According to statistics, the Euro is forged 10 times more than the national currency of any other country. The banknote of 20 and 50 euros are most often forged, less often a 500 euro bill.

How to distinguish fake euros? 

• The easiest way to distinguish a fake bill is by touch. Counterfeit banknotes are printed on smooth soft paper without embossed thickening on the banknote.

• On the top of the bill on the front side (where the hologram is), the inscriptions “BCE ECB EZB EKT EKP” should be embossed

• Watermarks are clearly visible on the clean, unprinted part of the banknote

• The hologram should change the pattern if you look at it from different angles

• On the reverse side of the bills, if you change the angle of view, there are elements that change colors.

• Watermarks, a protective stripe with the hologram image which will change between the value and € symbol on a rainbow-colored background. At the edges, tiny letters show the value.

• The protective thread is located deep in the paper and is visible against the light. It bears the denomination of the bill and the word „euro”

• Counterfeit banknotes glow brightly under an ultraviolet lamp.

What should I do with fake money? 

Of course, go straight to the police. Although neither the bank not the police will be able to compensate by exchanging a fake for normal money, but an attempt to sell counterfeit money can end up in big trouble. But if the criminal is found, then it will already be possible to recover damages from him.