Cash handling experts Volumatic are highlighting the latest advice from the Bank of England to help retailers and businesses that accept cash eliminate the ongoing issue of forged banknotes.
The advice, published earlier this year, highlights the numerous security features of their polymer banknotes (both the Queen Elizabeth II and the new King Charles versions), including holograms, foil patches, and a see-through window, and offers indispensable guidance on how to spot forgeries and what to do if you or your staff receive a forged note.
Although the number of counterfeit banknotes in the UK is still relatively low, thanks to these extra security features and the transition from paper to polymer notes since 2019, the Bank of England still removed approximately 89,000 counterfeit banknotes from circulation during 2024, and there is evidence that the number of forged notes is on the rise again this year as counterfeiters become more sophisticated. Many businesses have been reporting problems, particularly with counterfeit £20 notes, since the start of 2025.
How Volumatic can help you identify counterfeits
The Bank of England guidance states that detector pens that previously helped businesses identify counterfeit paper banknotes do not work on the new polymer notes.
They also advise that UV lamp detectors, while useful, cannot detect every forgery as they can only check the fluorescent features on banknotes, but no other features that could indicate a forgery.
While it is possible to identify some counterfeits by look and feel alone, many businesses will still need assistance, and the reassurance of being able to recognise forged notes with the use of a banknote checker or forgery detector, and that is where cash handling experts Volumatic can help.
Having supported and partnered with the Bank of England for many years, Volumatic are the first choice when it comes to reliable and accurate banknote detectors, and offers a choice of solutions to fit the requirements of your business.
BV20 SD – Our latest low-cost forgery detector is a compact and easy-to-use single note checker device. It fits neatly and discreetly at your POS and is Bank of England tested to recognise all known forgeries across GBP, Scottish, Northern Ireland and Euro banknotes.
BV30 SD – Our more advanced forgery detector is a compact and easy-to-use single note checker device and can check all GBP, Scottish, Northern Ireland, Euro and Dollar banknotes. It fits neatly and discreetly at your POS and has passed the Bank of England framework test to recognise all known forgeries.
FC300 – Perfect for businesses needing to check larger volumes of cash, our friction note counter also detects forgeries with ease, as well as counting and sorting your notes, and has passed the Bank of England’s Framework test.
CounterCache intelligent (CCi) – Our best-selling all-in-one cash handling solution validates, counts and securely stores your notes out of sight at POS, and when used with our CashView Enterprise software, you have a true end-to-end cash management solution. And like the FC300, the CCi has also passed the Bank of England’s Framework test.
Volumatic MD James Harris says: “Counterfeit notes have sadly been around for many years, and lots of both big and small retailers are contacting us at the moment as forgeries are causing them a big headache.”
“Our range of banknote checking machines are all thoroughly tested with the very latest Bank of England forgeries, which means our devices are always as up-to-date as possible, and we provide updates to our customers whenever any new forgeries become prevalent, protecting your business and giving you total peace of mind to anyone dealing with cash.”
Check out the Bank of England’s ‘How to check your banknotes’ advice here
