Counterfeit 500-Piso New Design Series Note Containing Salary Strip as an Imitation of the Security Thread

MEMORANDUM Series of 1995

COUNTERFEIT 500-PISO NEW DESIGN SERIES NOTE CONTAINING SALARY STRIP AS AN IMITATION OF THE SECURITY THREAD

The Cash Department is warning the public on the possible proliferation of a new type of counterfeit 500-piso New Design Series containing a strip of silvery material as a security thread that may pass as genuine to the unsuspecting layman.

Please be guided by the following distinguishing features:

It is made up of two thin sheets of paper pasted together, the printings appearing on the outside portion.

The watermark which is an inherent impression on the genuine paper, has been copied by printing the portrait of Benigno Aquino on the inner or the pasted portion of one of the two sheets using a light gray colored ink.

The security thread has been imitated by inserting a strip of finely cut silvery material which is similar to a "gift wrapper" pasted vertically in between the two sheets of paper.

The paper does not contain security fibers.

The portrait merges with the background and appears to be dull and not lifelike in appearance with its eyes made up of solid mass instead of concentric lines.

The lacework and other background designs are composed of lines which are blurred and broken.

The serial numbers are not well aligned and are not uniform in strokes and sizes.

The lines forming the picture at the back are not fine and sharp.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE YOU TAKE HOLD OF THIS TYPE OF NOTES

Examine carefully all suspect notes especially those with unnaturally dull general appearance as you may be holding a counterfeit. In this case, communicate with the Currency Analysis and Redemption Division or Investigation Staff, Cash Department, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Tel. Nos. 50-27-77; 59-49-34; 50-70-51/Locals 2296 or 2388, or the nearest Bangko Sentral Regional Office/Sub-Regional Office/Regional Unit.

EDGARDO P. ZIALCITA Deputy Governor