Not all damaged Euro notes are condemned to lose value. Banco de Portugal ensures that, in many cases, it is possible to recover the amount, provided that authenticity is confirmed and damage result from accidents and not fraudulent intention. The theme gains relevance after the fires that have affected various regions of the country, but also applies to common situations, such as laundering money on the clothing machine or finding old notes in poor condition.
According to the BDP, minor damage, such as notes or superficial spots, do not prevent the use of notes. However, in cases of tears, burns or advanced deterioration, the citizen must resort to official services to request the replacement.
Conditions for changing the notes
According to information from Banco de Portugal, there are three main rules for the return of the value to be accepted. The note has to be authentic, the party presented must correspond to more than 50% of the original grade and the damage may not have been intentional.
If only one fraction of the grade is delivered, it will be necessary to prove that the missing part has been destroyed. Already in cases where it is detected handling or cut, it is not possible to obtain reimbursement.
Where you can exchange damaged notes
The replacement can be done directly in Banco de Portugal’s treasury. Another option is the shipping by registered mail with a special service of declared value. In both cases, the applicant must present an identification document and, if necessary, provide bank data to transfer the amount.
Banco de Portugal explains that all notes are analyzed in specialized screening systems that confirm authenticity and evaluate the level of wear. Only after this verification is the return of the amount authorized.
Quality Control of NOTES IN CIRCULATION
Central eurosystem banks, including Banco de Portugal, perform rigorous control over circulation Euro notes.
Too much spent or dirty notes are systematically removed and replaced by new ones, ensuring high quality standards. The same principle applies to the grades delivered by citizens for exchange.
When there is no right to reimbursement
According to Banco de Portugal, there is no right to reimbursement when the damaged grade does not allow to verify authenticity or when the party presented is less than half of its original dimension. Situations of intentional damage, such as deliberate cuts or fraud attempts, also exclude any compensation.
Recover money with the right mechanisms
Losing money due to torn, burned or deteriorated notes is not inevitable. It ensures mechanisms that allow the amount to be recovered, provided that the legal conditions are met. The recommendation is to act quickly and always resort to official channels to ensure refund.
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