Vendors are urged to remain vigilant against fake money after a suspected counterfeit P1,000 bill was used in a transaction at a store in Davao City.

According to the vendor, Mariannie Orebia, a female customer gave what appeared to be a P1,000 bill as payment for the more than P100 goods.

“Paghatag sa babae, igo lang nako giana, kita naman ko og murag shadow sa ulo lang nga part, gisuklian nako dayon,” Orebia said.

She checked the money again later under better lighting after suspecting it was fake.

Another branch of the store also reported receiving a similarly suspicious P1,000 bill.

“Kung atong ikumpara layo ra kaayo ang watermark sa kining doubtful nga note kumpara dinhi sa genuine nga banknote. Kung makita nimo ang iyahang shadows, grabe ra ka emphasized kaayo. Then, ang iyahang 1 thousand watermark pud dinhi sa kilid, layo ra sa 1 thousand nga watermark sa genuine. And then ang iyahang rolling bar effect nga makita nato dinhi nga bahin, naa na siyay duha daan and then dapat kasi ana muligid siya, as you tilt the money, muligid siya, dili man siya muligid,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Mindanao Regional Office Acting Bank Officer IV, Ramonnetto Gervacio, said.

BSP will send the questionable banknote to its head office for an official evaluation and confirmation of its authenticity.

Authorities said three types of banknotes are in circulation – the New Generation Currency (NGC), the Enhanced New Generation Currency (ENGC), and the most recent polymer banknotes.

BSP reminded the public to check the security features present in all denominations to determine its authenticity.

Gervacio said the public should identify the color theme and the person featured on the bill.

“Atong ila-ilahon kung unsa ang iyahang color theme ug kinsa ang nga tao nga naa dinha. Tan-awon nato nga naa siyay mga fine lines. So, makita nimo sa agtang, sa mata,” Gervacio said.

The paper banknotes feel slightly rough while polymer banknotes are generally smooth to the touch.

“Atong ipadagan ang atong mga tudlo dinhi sa Republika ng Pilipinas. So, whether NGC, ENGC, or Polymer, dapat dahol na siya. Kanang Republika ng Pilipinas mahikapan nato ang mga letra. So, this is 50. So kung muadto pud ta sa 1,000 nga polymer pananglitan kay polymer ang gibayad sa ato, so, mao pud gihapon ang atong ma feel, it should be rough to the touch,” Gervacio added.

Color-changing thread is also visible when the banknote is tilted.

Use of UV light is also helpful for businesses as it can highlight hidden security features that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

“Kung ikaw ang nagpresentar sa kwarta as payment, ikaw ang manubag. So, it could be nga wala ka kabalo nga kanang peke to siya o doubtful, pero kay tungod kay ikaw man ang nag-presenta as payment, ikaw gyud ang maperwisyo,” Gervacio said.

BSP advised anyone who comes into possession of a suspicious bill to surrender it to the nearest bank for verification.