07/04/2026
Helpful reminder to check your notes and tips on what to look for to stay safe.
We’re asking residents and local businesses to stay alert following reports of counterfeit cash being used across Godalming and Guildford in recent weeks.
Officers are investigating and have arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of passing or tendering counterfeit currency. Police also carried out a search at an address in Godalming and seized over £1,000 in fake bank notes.
💷 How to check if a bank note is genuine
✅ Check the holographic window. It should be clear and sharply defined.
✅ Tilt the foil. The hologram should change, for example between “Twenty” and “Pounds”.
✅ Feel the raised print. If the note feels completely smooth, that is a red flag.
✅ Do not rely on counterfeit pens. Since the switch to polymer notes, these are no longer reliable.
✅ Compare with a genuine note. Small differences are easier to spot side by side.
If you suspect you have received a fake note, don’t pass it on. Keep the note separate and report it to us via 101 or our online reporting system.
