BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) says while the new polymer notes are not impossible to counterfeit, it has received no fake messages from the 2022 banknote series.
In a statement, the CBB said it is aware of images and videos circulating on social media over the past few weeks purporting to show counterfeit polymer Barbadian banknotes.
“While the Bank will not confirm the authenticity of any banknote without first having examined it in person, some of the security features found on genuine Barbadian polymer notes, such as the transparent window, are visible in the images. Instead, the messages appear to have come into contact with a harsh chemical that removed some ink.
“The Bank confirms that it has received no fake notes from the 2022 polymer banknote series but reminds the public that the notes are not impossible to counterfeit. It, therefore, encourages people to continue to check their money using the security features incorporated in them,” the CBB said in a statement.
It said that these features include a transparent window near the bottom of the note, an image embedded in the window that catches the light on lower denominations, and changes color on higher denominations.
The CBB said that the note’s denomination appears in the patterned broken trident on the top right of the message when it is held up to the light.
“A raised shape at the back of the note beneath the large denomination numeral. The shape varies depending on the denomination,” the Central Bank said, adding that it is encouraging anyone with a note they suspect to be counterfeit to take it to a commercial bank or the Central Bank of Barbados.
Barbados is among several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that, in recent years, have introduced the polymer note to deal with counterfeit currencies.
Jamaica last month started issuing its polymer notes.
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