Got another £20 note from a trusted source—maybe one from a cash machine or your wallet? Lay them side by side. Color, size, and print alignment should be identical. The genuine note has a consistent, vibrant palette; fakes tend to look washed out or oversaturated, like a photo filtered through Instagram’s worst preset.
One quirky detail: the “freedom of the press” line under Turner’s portrait? On a real note, it’s crisp. Fakes often run the text into the background or misspell it. Yes, counterfeiters sometimes flunk basic grammar—classic.
Don’t Forget The ‘Raised Print’
Run your fingernail lightly over the words “Twenty Pounds” on the front. Real polymer notes have raised, intaglio-printed text that feels like tiny bumps under your nail. Fakes feel flat, like they were printed on an office laserjet. It’s the easiest party trick to check without looking suspicious at a register.
'Sophisticated' fake £20 notes doing the rounds - here's how to spot
Pop culture bonus: remember the scene in Ocean’s Eleven where they flood the casino with fake money? Real-life counterfeiters aren’t that clever. They rely on you being distracted—so slow down, even when you’re in a hurry.
