Finding a suspicious note or coin may seem like an unlikely situation, but it happens more often than you might think. Banco de Portugal makes it clear that there are defined procedures to deal with cases of forgery. And the first rule is simple: never try to pass the money on to third parties, because putting counterfeit notes into circulation constitutes a crime.
The warning has been recalled in the press. The supervisor has compiled the essential guidelines: hand over the suspicious note to the police authorities, a bank or directly to Banco do Portugal. If the note is genuine, you will receive the amount back; if it is false, there is no compensation.
The law leaves no room for doubt
According to the Penal Code (art. 265, “Passing of counterfeit currency”), anyone who passes counterfeit currency as legitimate is punished. The framework is up to 5 years in prison (al. a). If you only know that the currency is fake after you have received it and it still passes, you risk up to 1 year or a fine of up to 240 days. Pure negligence (those who don’t know it’s false) isn’t the legal type here: that’s why the rule of thumb is: if you suspect it, don’t accept it; If you have already accepted, do not recirculate.
Therefore, in the event of suspicion, the most prudent thing to do is to refuse the note or coin in question. If you have ever accepted a copy that appears questionable, you should never put it back into circulation. The recommendation is to hand it over to local police authorities, a banking institution or directly to Banco do Portugal.
How to recognize fake banknotes
According to Banco do Portugal, use the “Touch – Observe – Tilt” method to check texture, watermark, hologram and color-changing paints. Even so, if you still have doubts, do not accept the note or hand it over for verification. Counterfeit notes or coins cannot be exchanged for genuine ones, the loss falls on whoever accepted them.
Still, even by following these steps, you may come across a suspicious note. In these cases, explains Notícias ao Minuto, the advice is not to accept it and, if you already have it in hand, seek immediate support from the authorities.
What to do if in doubt
The banking supervisor recommends some practical attitudes. If someone hands you a bill that appears counterfeit, you should politely ask for another bill, assuming that the person may be unaware of the situation. It is also advisable to suggest that you go to authorities or a bank counter to confirm authenticity.
Banco de Portugal also advises you to collect as much information as possible about the circumstances in which you received the note. This includes details about the person who delivered it, the location and time of the transaction. The more details provided, the more likely it is to support an eventual investigation.
Free training for the public
In addition to recommendations, Banco de Portugal develops training initiatives. Notícias ao Minuto writes that there are free face-to-face actions on euro notes and coins, aimed at professionals who deal with money on a daily basis, but also open to traders, retailers and even secondary and professional schools.
These trainings are provided in various locations, including Lisbon, Porto and regional delegations, and can be requested directly from Banco de Portugal. The objective is to raise awareness and train the population to identify counterfeits more effectively.
Protection of citizens and the economy
The circulation of counterfeit currency poses risks not only to those who receive it, but also to confidence in the financial system. The message from Banco de Portugal is clear: never try to pass a suspicious note, always check the security elements and, in case of doubt, hand the copy over to the competent authorities.
With these measures, the aim is to reduce the circulation of counterfeit money and protect both consumers and the economy. After all, anyone who accepts a counterfeit note automatically loses its value: there is no compensation.
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