Police are warning people to be vigilant when buying or selling items over social media after a incidents involving counterfeit currency including mobile phones bought using Facebook Marketplace and paid with fake notes.

During the past week, officers from Swindon and Wiltshire have had reports from victims living in Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon, and believe they are all linked.

The particular crimes on 30th April, 2021, involved counterfeit Bank of England polymer £20 notes (plastic type notes).

Counterfeit polymer £20s can be readily identified by first checking the hologram which can be found on the front of the note below the see-through window. Tilt the note from side to side. Check the words change between ‘Twenty’ and ‘Pounds’.

Secondly, look at the metallic image over the main window. Check the foil is gold and blue on the front of the note and silver on the back.

PC Jordan Gratton, from the Trowbridge Area Community Policing Team, said he was now liaising with other agencies, including the National Crime Agency.

He said: “We would urge people to be vigilant when buying or selling items via social media”.

“As these incidents show, it is easy to be duped by someone posing as a legitimate buyer who then uses counterfeit currency to scam you.

“Our advice would be to try to check someone’s profile to see if it seems like a genuine person i.e. do they have a profile picture, friends in common or contact information.

“Also, when you receive cash, there are quick checks you can do to ensure the notes aren’t counterfeit – see above & also go to the Bank of England’s website for more information on this.”

For guidance about Bank of England Polymer £20s visit https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/20-pound-note

For more guidance from the Bank of England about all their notes visit https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/counterfeit-banknotes/how-to-check-your-banknotes

If you believe you may have been a victim of a similar or related crime, call Wiltshire Police on 101, or visit our website www.wiltshire.police.uk

If you have information about persons passing, supplying or using counterfeit currency, contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.