4,150 counterfeit euro banknotes withdrawn from circulation in Portugal in 1H2016

LISBON, 25-Jul-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — During the first half of 2016, 4,150 counterfeit banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in Portugal, a decrease of 7.5 per cent compared with the second half of 2015.

The number of counterfeit banknotes seized in Portugal remains residual compared with total banknotes in circulation.

The €20 and €50 banknotes accounted for 83 per cent of the banknotes seized in Portugal in the first half of 2016. The €20 banknote continues to be the most counterfeited, totalling 49 per cent of counterfeit banknotes withdrawn from circulation. In the euro area as a whole, the most counterfeited denomination is the €50 banknote.

Number of counterfeit banknotes seized in Portugal

Fonte: Counterfeit Monitoring System, as at 6 July 2016.

It should also be mentioned that counterfeit banknotes detected may be recognised without the use of special equipment. For that, all you need to do is carefully check the security features for public recognition, through the Feel-look-tilt method, which is described in Banco de Portugal’s website (see Related links), where you can also consult further useful information on cash (in the ‘Banknotes and Coins’ section).

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SOURCE: Banco de Portugal