Counterfeit Currency Abroad: How to Spot Fake Notes and Avoid Being Cheated

Counterfeit notes are passed to tourists most commonly as change in taxis, markets, and restaurants. By the time you discover the note is fake, you're unlikely to remember exactly where you received it.

Which Countries Have the Highest Risk

Counterfeit currency problems are most commonly reported in: - **Mexico** (especially 50 and 100 peso notes) - **Thailand** (1,000 baht notes) - **Peru** (50 and 100 sol notes) - **Colombia** (50,000 peso notes) - **Egypt** (100 pound notes) - **Eastern Europe** (various currencies in informal exchange)

Basic Checks Anyone Can Do

Most legitimate banknotes have several security features you can check without equipment:

• •**Feel:** Authentic currency has a distinct texture — raised ink on portraits, rough edges, specific paper feel. Counterfeits often feel flat or waxy.
• •**Tilt:** Hold the note at an angle and look for color-shifting ink, holograms, or watermarks that appear when tilted.
• •**Light:** Hold to a light source to see the embedded watermark and security thread. Both should be visible and match the denomination.
• •**UV light:** Currency detection pens and UV lights (sold cheaply in most countries) reveal security strips invisible to the naked eye.

How Counterfeits Are Passed to Tourists

The most common method: a taxi driver gives change in a dark car. A market vendor makes change quickly. An informal money changer palms a genuine note and returns a fake. Distraction is usually involved — busy environment, rushed exchange, low lighting.

**Defensive habit:** Count and visually inspect your change immediately before leaving any transaction. If something seems wrong, say so then and there — not 10 minutes later.

If You Receive a Counterfeit

You cannot knowingly pass a counterfeit note — that's a crime in most countries. Take it to a bank or police station to report it. Your bank at home may reimburse you if you have a crime reference number, depending on your travel insurance policy.