10/06/2026
Article below about a recent rise in fake bank notes in the area, if selling via Marketplace, boot sales etc locally please double-check the quality of what you receive.
Hampshire Police have issued a warning to residents after a series of incidents in which sellers on online marketplaces were paid with counterfeit banknotes.
Reports have come from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with victims discovering fake notes only after buyers had left with their goods.
Officers say some offenders are mixing one or two counterfeit notes into bundles of genuine cash, making the fraud harder to spot during quick doorstep transactions.
The warning applies to anyone accepting cash whether through Facebook Marketplace, car boot sales, tabletop sales, summer fetes, or when buying and selling vehicles.
The Bank of England has reminded the public that counterfeit notes cannot be reimbursed, stressing the importance of checking banknotes carefully before accepting them.
Call 999 if a crime is in progress, you feel at risk, or evidence may be lost.
Otherwise report it to Hampshire Police onlineTo stay anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Residents can also sign up for Hampshire Alert to receive local policing updates. Police are urging people to share this warning with friends, family and neighbours especially those who regularly buy or sell items online.
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