This brings the volume of counterfeit money back to the long-term level before the COVID-19 pandemic. While there was a stronger increase at the beginning of the year, the number of counterfeits moved within the average of recent years over the course of the year.

50-Euro Note Most Frequently Counterfeited

The majority of seized counterfeit notes involved the 50-euro banknote (4,258 pieces, 41.7 percent). The 100-euro note was in second place with 2,520 counterfeits (24.7 percent), followed by the 20-euro note with 2,154 pieces (21.1 percent).

The OeNB emphasizes that cash remains the "safest means of payment" despite the increase. Compared to the more than two million banknotes checked in Austria, only every 255,000th note was a counterfeit. Additionally, the financial damage from card and online fraud is many times higher than that from counterfeit money.

Counterfeit-Proof Banknote Series in Development

To protect consumers, the OeNB once again points to the security features of euro banknotes. The proven method "feel – look – tilt" helps to identify counterfeits. Furthermore, a new series of banknotes is already in development to further increase counterfeit security.

(APA/Red)

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