WILLEMSTAD - The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) reiterates that there is no reason for retailers to refuse 100-guilder notes. The amount of counterfeit notes intercepted is low compared to the total number of 100-guilder notes in circulation.
So far, the bank has received forty counterfeit 100-guilder notes from banks. The police have found another ten counterfeit notes, bringing the total to fifty. “Even if you multiply this number by four, five, or six, the amount of counterfeit notes in circulation is still much smaller than the total number in circulation,” says Alvin Francisco.
The Finance Manager of the Central Bank has reiterated that it is better to check the authenticity of the 100-guilder notes and only refuse the counterfeit ones. CBCS has a video that provides instructions on what to look for when accepting money.
Features
Francisco emphasizes the importance of not accepting 100-guilder notes that are folded. “Unfold the note and check it carefully,” Francisco says. “Counterfeit notes are often coarser than authentic notes, and the ink used is thicker.”
Additionally, Francisco notes that the color of the foil on counterfeit notes is different. “It is duller or darker and looks more like copper than gold.” Counterfeit notes often lack the glitter present on real notes or have much less glitter. Moreover, many counterfeit notes begin with the serial number 8246. With a special pen, the authenticity of the note can be checked. If you use this pen on a counterfeit note, it leaves a mark.
No Panic
Francisco emphasizes that there is no reason to panic. Stopping the issuance of 100-guilder notes is not an option according to the Central Bank, as criminals would simply switch to counterfeiting 50-guilder notes.