Fake £5 notes: how to spot a fake new Winston Churchill banknote

Reports of fake £5 notes featuring Sir Winston Churchill have surfaced. We take a look at the key security features that will help you tell if you’ve been handed a counterfeit.

Fake £5 Churchill banknote warning

A PCSO has warned that fake new £5 banknotes are circulating in Dorset. 

Sarah Dutton said: "Please be aware of counterfeit new five pound notes circulating in the area. Report any suspicious activity via 101 or 999 if it is an emergency."

The Bank of England responded that it had not yet seen any polymer forgeries of the Winston Churchill fiver in circulation, but added that it had been informed of versions being printed on paper.

If you’re concerned that you may have received a fake new fiver, here’s our 11-step guide to spotting a counterfeit.

Does it feel like plastic?

The new £5 note is printed on a special thin polymer, which is a light, flexible plastic. It has a very different feel to the old paper notes.

Check the portraits

Check the size

The polymer fiver is slightly smaller than the paper £5 note. It measures 125mm x 65 mm compared to 135mm x 70 mm for the old paper note.

See-through window

Can you see a metallic image of Big Ben?

Check the border and £ symbol

Look for the three foil patches

Feel for raised print

Check the print quality

Check for microlettering

Check for the ultra-violet five

What to do if you find a fake fiver

If you’re still unsure about whether a note is fake the Bank of England has a free app you can use on Android and iOS devices.

If you spot a fake £5 note don’t accept it.

Should you discover you have a fake banknote you should take it to the police. They will send the note to the Bank of England to be checked.

If it is found to be counterfeit, you won’t be reimbursed but if it is genuine you will receive the money back.

Images taken from Bank of England The New Fiver - Key Security Features video and booklet Take a Closer Look.