Yahoo Finance Anzac Day warning as Aussie tradition of two up under threat
Some make money on Anzac Day, others lose. But the real loss is if you fall for this.
Millions of Australians will gather in pubs and RSLs around the country to play two-up. Anzac Day is one of the only days of the year the 50/50 game of chance is legal.
But, there's a few traps to be wary of, outside of gambling responsibly if you've thrown back a few schooners. I was stung last year when handed a torn $10 note (which as a tails winner I didn't identify until after I uncrumpled my wads of winnings and the culprit had vanished into the crowd).
But there's also counterfeit cash circulating in Australia that could be handed to you in the two-up ring.
The Australian Federal Police told Yahoo Finance counterfeit cash is on the decline, but there are still advertisements to buy it online and authorities do come across it.
So would you be able to tell the difference?
It’s an offence to knowingly possess counterfeit notes and there’s no reimbursement for victims who end up with them in their wallet or till.
How to spot counterfeit money
Anyone concerned about the authenticity of a note is within their rights to refuse it.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) recommends comparing a suspect note to one you know to be genuine and checking for differences.
Other things the RBA said to look out for include:
Note texture: Is it plastic? Australian banknotes are printed on plastic and have a distinct feel. A suspect banknote may feel excessively thick or thin compared to a genuine banknote. It is difficult to start a tear along the edge of a genuine banknote. You can also try scrunching the banknote in your hand – a genuine banknote should spring back.
The Coat of Arms: If you hold the banknote to the light, you should see the Australian Coat of Arms.
The star: diamond-shaped patterns are printed inside a circle on both sides of the banknote. If you hold the banknote up to the light, the patterns should line up perfectly to form a seven-pointed star.
The clear window: The clear window should be an integral part of the banknote and not an addition. Check that the white image printed on the window cannot be easily rubbed off. Also, look for the embossing – there is a wave pattern in the window of the $10 banknote, and the value of the banknote in the windows of the $20, $50 and $100 banknotes.
