Consumers must be on their guard against fraudulent activities whether it is the Carnival season, Christmas season or any time of the year. Consumers can become victims of counterfeit fraud when they purchase counterfeit tickets or inadvertently accept counterfeit currency. Don't be fooled this Carnival season. Be counterfeit smart. Tips to detect counterfeit currency Tourists and nationals innocently accept counterfeit currency, thinking they are getting real cash. Here are some guidelines to help you detect counterfeit currency.
Tips to detect counterfeit Money
Look for the watermarks.
There are two distinctive watermarks on Trinidad and Tobago currency notes.
I. There is a watermark of the value of the note to the right corner of the note. So for example, if you have a $100 note you will see a 100 watermark on the note.
II. There is also a bird of paradise watermark to the right of the note.
Locate the security thread.
A genuine Trinidad and Tobago currency note will have a silver security thread, running through it, slightly to the left of the centre of the note.
Check the money you receive. Compare a suspect note with a genuine note of the same denomination and series, paying attention to the quality of printing, paper characteristics and the "feel" of the note. Look for differences, not similarities.
Do not accept large bills at night. In the daytime it is easier to detect counterfeit bills. Pay extra attention to currency that you receive at night.
Tips to detect counterfeit tickets
Consumers also become victims of fraud when they purchase counterfeit tickets. To avoid purchasing counterfeit tickets, follow these simple guidelines:
Buy only from advertised outlets and authorised dealers. Do not purchase tickets from scalpers.
Examine the quality of the print of the tickets. The print quality of counterfeit tickets is usually poor.
If you suspect that someone is trying to pay you with counterfeit money, or sell you counterfeit tickets, don't try to confront them.
Try to get as much information about the person or business place as possible. Then call the police.
Courtesy:Corporate Communications Unit, Consumer Affairs Division
Source: Trinidad Guardian January 21,2002
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