Residents of New South Wales have been alerted to watch out for counterfeit money, following the police confiscation of $2600 in fake currency.

These counterfeit bills were circulated across various businesses within the Hunter Valley area, including Cessnock, Kurri Kurri, Muswellbrook, Scone, Singleton, Blandford, Cliftleigh, Glendon, Merriwa, and Middle Falbrook, spanning from May to the present month.

Authorities are currently conducting an investigation to trace the origin of these counterfeit notes.

Police have advised the public to familiarize themselves with the characteristics of counterfeit money.

Officers recommend that if you suspect a note is counterfeit, you should examine its texture, as authentic currency is made from a special plastic polymer that is not easily torn.

A telltale sign of a fake is if words such as “prop” or “specimen” mark the note.

You should also hold the note to the light and look for the Australian coat of arms.

This is generally located to the left of the clear window or denomination numeral when looking at the front of the note.

Another way to tell the difference is to compare the background printing, looking for any distortions or less clearly defined patterns.

Feel for slightly raised printing on the main design of the note and look for the seven-pointed star inside a circle.

Check that the note has a clear window and that it has a clear printed image.

The $50 note has the Southern Cross and the $100 note has the lyrebird.

If possible, look under a UV light to locate the serial numbers.