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Forged notes used at school fete
CALLOUS fraudsters tricked a special school out of their summer fundraising money by using forged £20 notes.
Now organiser of other fundraising fetes and fairs are being warned to check their takings carefully to avoid similar scams.
Coln House School in Fairford held a summer fete on Sunday to raise money for summer camps. The event made a profit of around £3,000 but when organisers went to bank the cash they were told £120 of the cash was in forged notes.
School bursar Heather Paterson said: "There are so many church fetes and school fairs at this time of year and people ought to be aware of this going on and double check the money.
"It is the ideal place for people to flog forged notes because we don't have the equipment to check and our volunteers are not always used to working with money."
The school has lost out as the bank has to confiscate the notes.
Head teacher Chris Clarke said: "The May Fayre is our main fundraiser of the year - we work hard to get it organised and we always get terrific support from our local community.
"We depend on this income to subsidise school camp when all students, regardless of means, get the chance to go away for a few days of outdoor activities. It is despicable that someone should choose a special school fete to pass off forged notes in this way."
Sgt Garrett Gloyn said: "Where there is an isolated note it will be investigated and seized by the bank but if there are a lot of bank notes involved it becomes more suspicious and will be treated as a crime."
....
Tips on spotting a fake.
- The paper should not feel limp or waxy and the words Bank of England should be raised.
- The metallic thread on the back of £5, £10 and £20 notes and on the front of a £50 note should appear as a continuous dark line when held up to the light.
- Check the watermark, hold the note up to the light and you will see an image of the queens portrait (front and back).
- The lines and colours on banknotes should be sharp, clear and free from blurred edges or smudging.
- If you tilt the note, the hologram on the foil patch will change between a picture of Britannia and the numerical value of the note.
- Using a magnifying glass, look at the lettering beneath the Queen's portrait - you will see the value of the note written in small letters and numerals.
- Some fake notes have identical serial numbers.
If you suspect a note is counterfeit take it to your bank. If you know where you obtained the notes it should be reported to police.
8:30am Thursday 22nd May 2008
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