Counterfeit Bank Notes

[adrums1999]

I work in a shop, and today someone tried paying for goods with a fake �20 note.
I told the customer it was fake (she looked well dodgy)
she acted quite suprised and muttered something about receiving the note as change from the corner shop down the road...
I gave the note back to her as she "wanted to take it back down the corner shop to have a go at the shop keeper", but then I thought what should I have really done in this situation?
should i have ripped that note up to prevent it going back into circulation? or should i have phoned the police?

any answers would be greatfully received

[gman150]

Do you have CCTV?

I would have given the note back to prevent the person lashing out which happens quite often when a criminal realises they have been caught out.

I would have then phoned the police straight away. They would probably then come and look at the tapes to identify the women. She may be known to the local Police.

They could then start their own investigation. You would have played your part.

Obviously hindsight is a good thing but when you are on the spot I'm not sure how I would have reacted.

[adrums1999]

We have CCTV, but it's really REALLY bad.
I've worked in the retail industry for 6 years and I've never had it happen to me before, so I was unsure what to do.
I'll definitely know what to do next time :o)
Thanks for your help

[cassa333]

Unless she got cash back I can't see how she would get a �20 note as change!

[gman150]

Unless she paid with a �50 note!!

[pink-kittens]

Its been a while since I worked in retail but we were told oif we were to get a fake note we should retain it and call the police - if the customer is innocent they will stay, if not they will flee but you have them on CCTV :-)

You should not have given it back - what did your manager say?

[cassa333]

She could have had a �50 note but to be honest I doubt it!! (for no other reason than I haven't seen anyone with one for ages and ages and if you are trying to get rid of a 20 then you would say that). It depends what time of day it was as well as a lot of corner shops don't have that much change first thing.

I was always told to keep the note and call the police.

Anyway a bright crook will have fake tenners and fivers as they are easier to palm off and you ARE more likely to get them in change.

[ummmm]

I got a fake note from a cash machine.

[pink-kittens]

A while ago, our main PO was handing out fake notes (not on purpose obviously) - it is very difficult to spot them so one must wonder how many are actually in circulation/pass by retailers

[squarebear]

You should have kept the note and informed the police. Now this person will try to pass it off at another shop.

[adrums1999]

I wrote FAKE on the note using the counterfeit pen, so I hope they won't use it again.

My managers attitude was, "oh well at least they didn't use it here, it's someone else's problem now"

He sets a great example obviously...