What to do with counterfeits?

Counterfeit euro banknotes can usually be identified by checking several security features in combination, as counterfeiters often only replicate individual security features. Read on to find out what to do if you come across suspected counterfeits.

What to do with counterfeits?

Here are some useful tips on safe cash handling and on what to do if you come across counterfeit money. You can also find out where and how to hand in suspect banknotes.

  • Memorise at least two to three security features of euro banknotes.
  • Check your change for authenticity straight away. Take your time.
  • If you have any doubts about the authenticity of your change, ask for a different banknote right at the checkout counter.
  • Where possible, pay the exact amount to minimise the amount of change you receive. Normally, you will not receive large amounts of (higher-denomination) banknotes as change. If necessary, exchange high-denomination banknotes (EUR 100 or EUR 200) at a bank before making cash payments.
  • Choose smaller banknotes (EUR 10, EUR 20 or EUR 50) so that you can pay the exact amount. At some ATMs you can choose the denomination of the banknotes you wish to receive.
  • Under no circumstances should you exchange money on the black market. Do not let strangers change money for you, and do not change high-denomination banknotes for strangers either.
  • When buying foreign currencies at home or abroad, do so only at banks or official bureaux de change. Keep the currency exchange receipt as proof.
  • Memorise the appearance and texture of genuine foreign currency banknotes after you have obtained them from banks or bureaux de change. This will make it easier for you to spot any counterfeits.

Counterfeit money must under no circumstances be put back into circulation. If you find yourself in possession of a suspect banknote, it is best to take it to a bank. Pursuant to the provisions laid down in the Nationalbank Act 1984, banks in Austria are obliged to withhold banknotes and coins suspected of being counterfeit. The bank will record your details (for the purpose of any reimbursment) and issue a receipt as confirmation. Suspect banknotes will be sent to the OeNB for examination, while suspect coins will be sent to Münze Österreich AG. 

  • If the banknote or coin in question is found to be genuine, you will be reimbursed. 
  • If it is found to be a counterfeit, you will not be reimbursed.

What to do if you suspect that someone has paid, or is about to pay, with counterfeit money?
This suspicion may arise if a counterfeit is recognisable to the naked eye, if the paper of a banknote feels different from usual or if the print quality appears suspicious. If a customer shows unusual behaviour while paying, this may also attract attention. Here is what to do in such cases.

  • Keep calm – it might just be a mistake.
  • Check whether the banknote you have been given has several security features.
  • If you have access to a testing device, use it to carry out an additional authenticity check.
  • If your suspicions are confirmed, please ask the customer to bear with you and inform your line managers immediately. They can raise the issue with the customer and notify security authorities.
  • Switch on the security camera if available.
  • Try to memorise what the customer looks like.
  • For your own safety, do not try to stop customers if they wish to leave the premises despite being asked to wait for the police.
  • If possible, write down a description of the person or the vehicle registration number and/or car model if a car is involved.
  • Do not return the banknote to the person that attempted to make the payment if you can avoid it.
  • Suspected counterfeits must be forwarded to the security authorities without delay.

Suspect banknotes
If you have come into possession of a suspect banknote, please submit it, together with the form provided below, to:

Oesterreichische Nationalbank
Cashier’s Division / NCC-NAC
Otto-Wagner-Platz 3
1090 Vienna
Austria

Einreichformular für fälschungsverdächtige Banknoten (PDF, 81,8 KB)
German only

Suspect coins
If you have come into possession of any suspect coins, please submit them, together with the form provided below, to:

Münze Österreich AG
Abteilung Labor / CNAC
Am Heumarkt 1
1030 Vienna
Austria

Einreichformular für fälschungsverdächtige Münzen (PDF, 2,0 MB)
German only

Legal situation

Withholdance and examination of suspect banknotes or coins

The Nationalbank Act (Article 79) requires the OeNB, Münze Österreich AG, banks and other payment service providers as well as all other economic entities whose duties include the processing and issuance of banknotes and coins (e.g. bureaux de change, cash-in-transit companies, casinos) to withhold for examination against a certifiacte of receipt any banknotes and coins suspected of being counterfeit. This obligation also applies to traders who operate ATMs as a secondary activity.

Münze Österreich AG is responsible for examining coins that are legal tender in Austria. Euro banknotes and other coins fall within the remit of the OeNB.

The OeNB and Münze Österreich AG withhold banknotes and coins identified as counterfeit to make them available to the criminal courts if required. It is not permitted to return counterfeit money – except in the case of coins containing precious metals, subject to certain conditions.

The OeNB and Münze Österreich AG must report cases of counterfeits to the Federal Ministry of the Interior and inform the person whose banknotes or coins have been withheld of the outcome of their examination.

Counterfeiting or falsification of euro banknotes and coins

An Austria, anyone who counterfeits or falsifies euro banknotes or coins or puts counterfeit euro banknotes or coins into circulation faces a prison sentence of up to ten years. The same applies to persons who knowingly import, export, transport, accept or acquire counterfeit or falsified euro banknotes or coins.

People who do the following must also expect to face a penalty:

  • manufacture or accept equipment, objects, computer programmes and other means which, by their very nature, are particularly suitable for counterfeiting or altering banknotes and coins, 
  • or procure or possess such means.

Reproduction guidelines and exchange of damaged euro banknotes

The conditions under which euro banknotes may be depicted or reproduced and under which defective or damaged euro banknotes may be exchanged are set out in the Decision of the European Central Bank on the denominations, specifications, reproduction, exchange and withdrawal of euro banknotes (ECB/2003/4).

Decision ECB/2013/10 of 19 April 2013

Copyright

The European Central Bank (ECB) holds the copyright to euro banknotes. The national central banks of the EU member states and the ECB may take legal action against those who infringe this copyright. Euro coins are also subject to copyright provisions.

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