Counterfeit banknotes are again making their way through Tasmania, with New Norfolk businesses reporting recent cases of fake $100 bills being passed off as genuine. Police have confirmed that the counterfeit notes, some crudely marked with the word PROPS or foreign characters, are increasingly being detected across the state. While some of these forgeries are easily dismissed, others are convincing enough to deceive shop owners and staff during busy trading hours.
One local business was defrauded this week when a customer used a bogus $100 note. Though the plastic felt different and the microprint on the back was blurred, the note otherwise resembled legal tender. That incident has left small business owners rattled and prompted fresh warnings from Tasmania Police.
Acting Inspector Aziz Melick stressed the importance of vigilance. “It is an offence to possess, buy, sell, or use counterfeit money,” he said. “If you’re handling cash – please be vigilant and check notes to prevent falling victim to these offences.”
A Closer Look at the Problem
Australia has long benefited from polymer banknotes, first introduced in 1988, which are far more resistant to forgery than paper-based currency. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) reports that the overall counterfeit rate remains low compared to many countries, averaging around 15 counterfeits detected per million genuine banknotes in circulation.
Yet even with advanced features such as transparent security windows, holograms, and raised print, determined counterfeiters continue to exploit weaknesses. In 2023–24, Tasmania recorded one of the sharpest percentage increases in counterfeit detection nationwide, though actual numbers remain modest compared to metropolitan hubs like Sydney and Melbourne.
What makes the current wave of fake $100 bills particularly concerning is that some of them are good enough to fool untrained eyes. The quality varies: while some are novelty prop notes often used in film productions, others use poor-quality polymer substitutes that mimic the feel of plastic currency.
What Businesses Are Experiencing
Local shopkeepers in New Norfolk describe a mix of frustration and financial loss. For many small operators, losing $100 represents not just a missing sale but also the real cost of stock, staff wages, and overheads.
One café owner explained that the note she accepted looked fine during a busy lunch rush. Only later, when reconciling the till, did she notice the lack of clarity in the microprint and the stiffness of the plastic compared to a real note. By then, the customer was long gone.
Retail workers say the speed of transactions is a challenge. “If you’ve got a queue of people waiting, it’s difficult to pause and inspect every single note,” one shop assistant noted. “But you can’t afford not to anymore.”
Key Features to Check
The RBA provides several straightforward checks that anyone handling cash should adopt:
- Examine both sides of the note. Look for unexpected words like PROPS or foreign text, which are dead giveaways.
- Inspect the clear window. Genuine banknotes have complex transparent sections with images that cannot be reproduced with standard printers.
- Feel the print. Real notes feature raised ink in areas such as the denomination number and portraits.
- Tilt the note. Colourful holographic features should shift under light.
- Check microprint. Fine, sharp lettering appears around portraits and windows on genuine notes, not blurry smudges.
- Compare thickness and colour. Genuine notes are uniform; fakes often vary slightly in shade or plastic consistency.
The RBA also maintains an online counterfeit detection tool, complete with images and explanations for every denomination. Businesses are urged to train staff regularly using these resources.
Legal and Safety Considerations
Possessing or knowingly using counterfeit currency is a serious offence under the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981, carrying penalties of up to 14 years’ imprisonment. Even unintentional acceptance of a fake note can have consequences if the note is later passed on.
Police advise anyone who suspects they’ve received counterfeit money to:
- Refuse the note politely if possible.
- Record identifying details of the person presenting it, if safe to do so.
- Contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.
- Submit information anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
- Preserve any CCTV footage showing the transaction.
Critically, people should never confront a suspected counterfeiter directly, especially if they feel unsafe. The priority is to gather information and alert authorities.
Broader Impacts on the Community
Counterfeit money is not a victimless crime. Beyond immediate financial losses for businesses, widespread forgery can undermine public confidence in cash transactions.
For regions like the Derwent Valley, where many small businesses still rely heavily on cash sales, a surge in fake notes could push more operators to refuse cash altogether. While card payments are increasing, the RBA notes that around 13% of everyday consumer transactions in Australia are still conducted in cash, often among older residents and in rural towns.
There are also flow-on effects for law enforcement. Investigations into counterfeit networks can tie up resources and require cooperation across states and sometimes internationally. In past cases, fake Australian polymer notes have been traced back to organised crime syndicates in Southeast Asia and Europe.
Technology and Counterfeit Prevention
The RBA’s introduction of the Next Generation Banknote series between 2016 and 2020 was designed precisely to tackle forgery. Each new note includes features such as a top-to-bottom transparent window, colour-changing patches, and a rolling effect that is exceptionally hard to reproduce.
Despite these advances, counterfeiters continue to innovate. Cheap digital printing equipment, high-resolution scanners, and accessible polymer substitutes mean that even relatively unsophisticated operations can create notes that pass a casual inspection.
For businesses, the adoption of counterfeit detection devices—such as ultraviolet lamps, magnifiers, and automated note-checking machines—offers an extra layer of defence. While the upfront cost may be a concern, especially for small operators, the investment can quickly pay for itself by preventing repeated losses.
Community Awareness as the First Line of Defence
Police and the RBA stress that public awareness is the most effective safeguard against counterfeit circulation. Training staff to check notes, sharing information about known counterfeit characteristics, and encouraging open communication across local businesses are critical.
Community groups in New Norfolk are already discussing ways to spread awareness, including posters in shopfronts, social media alerts, and sessions run in cooperation with police. Local chambers of commerce are also considering coordinated strategies, such as shared reporting channels, to quickly flag suspicious transactions.
Moving Forward
Counterfeit money may never be eliminated entirely, but vigilance can limit its spread and impact. For Tasmanian towns like New Norfolk, the recent incident is a reminder that every business—large or small—has a role in defending against financial crime.
The responsibility does not rest solely on retailers. Consumers are also urged to take a closer look at their cash, both to protect themselves and to support local businesses that bear the brunt of counterfeit fraud.
As Acting Inspector Melick put it: “It’s about everyone playing their part. A few seconds spent checking a note can save a lot of heartache.”
With police urging caution, the RBA offering tools, and local businesses uniting in response, New Norfolk has a chance to turn this challenge into an example of community resilience. The counterfeiters may be persistent, but so too is the determination of a town that values trust, fairness, and the simple honesty of a genuine $100 bill.
