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Banks and bobbies crack down on fake cash
BEWARE of forged bank notes, police and Isle of Man Bank warned as they launched a crackdown on counterfeit currency.
Police and bank bosses have joined forces to tackle the problem after a number of fraudulent Manx and English notes were discovered in the last six months.
Most of the fake notes are copies of 10 or 20 notes. Many of them have been used in the north of the Island, leaving local businesses and even a charity out of pocket.
Isle of Man Bank is offering traders free pens used to test possible forgeries and is printing 2,500 leaflets explaining what to look for if traders suspect a note is a fake.
When the pens, available at all 11 branches of the bank, are drawn over a suspected forgery, the ink will change colour if the note is a fake but remain clear if it is authentic.
Karen Bentley, assistant manager of Isle of Man Bank's Ramsey branch, said: 'We are working with police to get the message across that everyone needs to be extra vigilant. A number of fraudulent notes have come to our attention, resulting in a considerable loss to local traders. Once the notes have been accepted, it results in a financial loss to the retailer as they cannot be credited to their account.
'We pass on the forgeries to police for use as evidence in their ongoing investigations.'
Constable Conrad Roberts, of Ramsey police, said several people had already been charged with forgery offences but investigations were continuing. He urged traders who suspected a forgery to keep hold of the note and contact police immediately.
They should try to get details, or at least a good description, of the person handing over the counterfeit money, he added.
Constable Roberts said: 'Isle of Man Constabulary takes all forms of forgery extremely seriously. Anyone with information about those involved in forgery should contact police. If people have concerns about currency in their possession, which may have been obtained innocently, they should seek professional advice from Isle of Man Bank or a police station.'
Isle of Man Bank's community investment manager, John Lindon, said the company had always taken an active role in trying to stamp out criminal activity.
Since 2006, the bank has sponsored the Isle of Man Crimestoppers organisation, which takes information relating to crime in confidence.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
