More than half a million fake notes found in 2024!

The numbers are in! In 2024, more than half a million fake euro banknotes were discovered and confiscated. Read along to learn more about the total number of counterfeits and how you can protect your business against harmful damages. .

Counterfeit banknotes. An increasing problem.

Counterfeit banknotes (or fake banknotes) have been around since people first started using cash. These replicated notes are made to look and feel like real money, but do not hold any actual monetary value. Hurting those who are on the wrong end of the deal.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of fake notes are discovered and confiscated by global law enforcement organisations and banks. The exact number of circulating counterfeits changes every year in-line with social and economic developments. In 2021 - during the peak of the pandemic - only 347.000 fake notes were discovered and confiscated. A historically low number.

Over the past few years, the quantity of counterfeits has been steadily increasing again. In 2024, roughly 554.000 fake euro banknotes were discovered and confiscated. An increase of more than 18% (85.000) compared to year before and almost 60% compared to 2021.

As the number of fake notes increases, so does the chance of you encountering and (accidentally) accepting one. It is therefore paramount that you are always alert.

Look out for fake €20 and €50 notes!

Even though you should always be vigilant and check every banknote you receive, there are certain denominations that are more frequently counterfeited than others.

Counterfeiters often choose mid-value banknotes as they hold up their value, are always accepted, and not always checked. They avoid going for the cheapest and most valuable denominations as they increase the chances of getting caught. The lower the value of the denomination, the more money they need to launder. The higher the value of the denomination, the bigger the changes are that it will be checked.

Their strategy is reflected in the findings of the European Central Bank. Last year, more than 75% of all confiscated counterfeits were €20 and €50 banknotes. The next 14.7% was made up by €10 and €100 banknotes. Only 5.7% of all counterfeits were €5, €200, or €500 banknotes.

How to protect yourself against fake notes

Accepting counterfeits can severely impact your business. In more ways than one. Not only does it cause financial losses, but indirectly it also damages your reputation and decreases the trust of your customers.

Minimise the impact counterfeits have on your business with our intelligent and reliable counterfeit detectors. They help you verify your cash quickly and accurately, without slowing you down. In less than a second you will know with complete certainty whether the banknote in your hand is real or not. Offering you the best counterfeit detecton and protecting your profits and reputation. In just the blink of an eye.

Implement an extra layer of security with our banknote counters. They not only quickly count all your banknotes, but they also verify their authenticity. Catching and stopping counterfeits before you process or deposit them.

Want to learn more about our counterfeit detection products? Subscribe to our newsletter for more currency news, exclusive promotions, and 10% off your next order.

The following sources have been consulted and used as references in this article:
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2022/html/ecb.pr220128~d65c3326c2.en.html
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2024/html/ecb.pr240129~fb28ab2918.en.html
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2025/html/ecb.pr250221~c0d1113d2c.en.html

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1.	Go to www.safescan.com and log in to your Safescan account (or create one, if you don’t already have one).
2.	If you purchased your item using your Safescan account, go to your order history and click on the “return request” option. Complete the form to submit your request.
3.	If you purchased your Safescan product from one of our authorized dealers, go to “My RMAs” and fill in the form to submit your request. (You will need your purchase invoice or receipt for this.)
4.	We will contact you by e-mail as quickly as we can with further instructions on how to return your product. These instructions will include your return label and unique RMA return number. Please wait for these instructions before returning your product to us; without both the return label and RMA number, we cannot accept your return.