A taxi driver has issued a warning to the public after discovering he had been paid with two fake £20 notes — both carrying the exact same serial number.
The driver contacted DM News after noticing something unusual about the banknotes. He was handed what appeared to be two £20 notes, totalling £40, but said they “looked a bit different” from normal.
On closer inspection, he realised both notes had identical serial numbers printed on them — something that should never happen on genuine Bank of England currency.
The discovery has prompted concerns that counterfeit £20 notes may be circulating, and the driver is now urging others to check cash carefully before accepting it.
What raised suspicion?
According to the driver, it wasn’t immediately obvious the notes were fake. However, subtle differences in appearance made him take a second look. It was only when he compared the two side by side that he noticed the serial numbers matched exactly.
Every genuine Bank of England note has a unique serial number. Two notes with identical serial numbers strongly suggest at least one — if not both — are counterfeit.
Public urged to stay alert
While taxi drivers and shop workers often handle large amounts of cash, this warning applies to everyone — not just those in the trade.
If you’re handed multiple notes in a transaction, it’s worth:
- Checking the serial numbers are different
- Comparing the feel and print quality
- Looking closely at security features
Even a quick comparison between two notes can reveal inconsistencies.
At this stage, the driver simply wants to make people aware and encourage vigilance. If fake notes are circulating, early awareness could prevent others from losing money.
DM News Commentary
Cash payments are still common across the UK, especially in taxis, hospitality, and small businesses. Most of the time there’s no issue — but situations like this show why it pays to stay alert.
For drivers, especially during busy shifts or late nights, it’s easy to accept cash quickly without checking it closely. But spotting something as simple as duplicate serial numbers can save you from being left out of pocket.
This isn’t just a taxi trade issue — anyone accepting cash should be cautious. A quick check could make all the difference.
Thanks for visiting DM News! If you’ve got a question, story, or anything you’d like to say, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you! And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
