Shoppers warned to beware of counterfeit notes

CHRISTMAS shoppers were told yesterday to be wary of forged notes as the Central Bank put into circulation €11 billion, an all-time high since the euro was introduced almost three years ago.

As the Christmas shopping season gets into full swing, Central Bank spokesperson Elaine Mannix warned: “As demand for cash always increases significantly at this time of year, there is a corresponding increase in the opportunities for counterfeiters to pass off counterfeit bank notes to unsuspecting consumers.”

The amount of money in circulation is up by almost one-fifth on the average amount at any other time of the year.