PNP warns public vs. circulation of fake money this holiday season

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday reminded the public to remain vigilant against the proliferation of fake peso bills, especially during this Christmas season.

In an interview on dzBB Super Radyo, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said crimes against property like theft and robbery, as well as fraud and deceit, usually increase during the holiday season.

“Nagpapaalala ang PNP na mag-ingat po tayo sa ating mga transaksyon kapag tayo ay namimili sa mga palengke, sa mga malls, lalong-lalo na na ganitong pagkakataon na marami tayong mga balikabayan na uuwi at may bitbit na mga remittance,” she said.

(The PNP reminds the public to be careful with their transactions when they shop in markets and malls, especially this time when many overseas Filipinos return home with remittances.)

“Ang paalala natin sa ating kababayan ay magpapalit sila ng pinaghirapan nilang mga pera sa mga authorized money changer,” she added.

[Particularly, we remind the public to have their money exchange transaction in authorized money changers.]

Earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas advised people to use the “Feel-Look-Tilt” method to check the security features of the New Generation Currency (NGC) banknotes.

With Christmas Day just around the corner, Fajardo further asked people to buy gifts and supplies as early as now to avoid the holiday shopping rush. She also reminded the people to only buy from legitimate sellers, even in online shops.

“‘Wag na tayong sumabay doon sa Christmas rush na sinasabi. Kung kayang mamili nang mas maaga, ‘wag humalo doon sa napakamarami. Kapag ganyan na maraming tao, diyan madalas nagkakaron ng switching ng pera,” she said.

(Let's avoid waiting for the Christmas rush. Shop earlier and don't get mixed up with the crowd. Money switching usually happens when there are many people.) —LBG, GMA Integrated News