Taxi drivers warned of counterfeit $50 notes
Shin Min Daily News - 7 June 2012 3:45 PM | Updated 8:08 PM
ComfortDelGro has urged its taxi drivers to be more vigilant when receiving $50 notes.
This advisory came after the police released a statement warning of counterfeit $50 notes that are allegedly being circulated around Singapore.
The police said that they received numerous reports of counterfeit $50 notes last month. All the notes in question contained the same serial number of 1BM226435.
A 54 year-old taxi driver known only as Mr. Zheng, who has been driving a taxi for three years, says he usually tests the authenticity of the notes he receives based on touch alone. He has yet to encounter any counterfeit notes.
He says that drivers do not normally check notes thoroughly as it is inconvenient to do so, even with a scanner in the vehicle. “And, if we check the authenticity of notes, customers might also think we doubt them,” he added.
The counterfeit notes in question are said to feel waxy, and are missing features such as a portrait watermark, security thread and micro-printing.
Under Singapore law, a person convicted of printing, copying or wilful usage of counterfeit notes can be fined and sentenced to jail for a maximum of 20 years.
It is also an offence to possess counterfeit notes and anyone who thinks they have received one should notify the police immediately.
Anyone will information on the $50 counterfeit notes should call the police hotline 1800-2550000 or 999 to notify the police.
What to do if you receive a counterfeit note?
• Do not return the note.
• Record as much information as you can about the person who gave you the note. Observe their sex, race, age, height, build, dressing, accent or any tattoo or bodily marks.
• Notify the police as soon as possible.
• Avoid unnecessary contact with the counterfeit note. Put it in an envelope or plastic bag before passing it to the police.
Source: Shin Min Daily News, 6 June 2012.
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