As January gets underway, police and fraud teams are warning of a rise in scams targeting people selling items online. The method is simple — and effective — leaving genuine sellers out of pocket with little chance of recovery.
The risk is particularly high for anyone using social media marketplaces or local selling groups to offload unwanted gifts, tech or musical instruments after Christmas.
How the scam works
Fraudsters pose as genuine buyers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and local selling groups. They often:
- Appear friendly and organised
- Agree to meet quickly, sometimes in a public place
- Pay in cash to avoid “bank delays” or “transfer limits”.
At the point of sale, the cash looks convincing. Only later — when the seller tries to spend or deposit it — do they discover the notes are counterfeit. By then, the buyer is uncontactable, the item is gone, and the loss sits entirely with the seller.
January creates the perfect conditions for this type of scam:
- People are actively selling unwanted gifts or upgrading devices
- Buyers and sellers expect quick, informal transactions
- Financial pressure makes fast sales more tempting.
Scammers rely on speed. The goal is to complete the exchange before you have time to stop and check the cash properly.
How to check UK banknotes: look, feel, tilt
If you do accept cash, there’s an official, simple way to check whether a UK banknote is genuine. It’s known as look, feel, tilt.
Look
Examine the note carefully.
- Print should be sharp and clear, not blurred or smudged
- Colours should be strong and consistent
- On polymer notes (including Scottish notes), the transparent window should be clear and well-defined.
Poor print quality or fuzzy details are a common sign of counterfeit notes.
Feel
Run your fingers across the surface.
- Genuine notes have raised print, especially on the words “Bank of England” or “Bank of Scotland”
- Polymer notes feel smooth, firm and slightly waxy, not papery or flimsy
- Different areas of the note should feel different to the touch.
If the note feels flat, overly soft or “wrong”, trust that instinct.
Tilt
Tilt the note back and forth.
- The hologram or metallic image should change colour or image
- On newer notes, the hologram switches between words and numbers
- Details within the transparent window should become more visible when tilted.
If nothing changes when you tilt the note, that’s a red flag.
Why banks won’t refund counterfeit cash
If you unknowingly accept a fake note, banks will not reimburse you. Counterfeit currency has no value and must be handed over if identified. That’s why these scams are so damaging. The loss is immediate, final, and often significant.
To reduce your risk:
- Avoid accepting large amounts of cash, especially for high-value items
- Use bank transfer or reputable payment platforms with built-in protections
- Be cautious of buyers who rush or discourage checks
- Walk away if anything feels pressured or unusual.
A genuine buyer won’t object to you taking a moment to check the payment.
Stay alert to counterfeit cash
Counterfeit cash scams are a reminder that not all fraud happens online. As selling activity picks up in January, taking a few extra seconds to look, feel and tilt could save you hundreds — or even thousands — of pounds.
