This section features training materials to help retailers learn about Canadian bank notes and know how to deal with suspected counterfeit notes.
Train your staff
Most counterfeits enter circulation at a retail point of sale. Polymer notes have leading-edge security features that are easy to check and hard to counterfeit, but they are effective only if you use them. Our free training materials can help you start out on the right track.
Polymer notes now make up the majority of notes in circulation. If you come across paper notes, you can facilitate their removal by bundling polymer and paper notes separately in your bank deposit.
Polymer money: Handling tips for you
Training seminars
The Bank provides free training seminars through its offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, Montréal and Halifax. These presentations can be customized to suit your organization's needs. Topics include bank note security features and what to do with a suspected counterfeit notes.
Duration: 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the content covered.
For more information, please call 1‑800‑303‑1282.
Dealing with suspicious money
What to do if you suspect that you have been offered a counterfeit note during a transaction:
- Assess the situation to ensure that you are not at risk. Then do the following:
- Politely refuse the note and explain that you suspect it may be counterfeit.
- Ask for another note (and check it too).
- Advise the person to check the note with the local police.
- Inform your local police of a possible attempt to pass suspected counterfeit money.
- Be courteous. Remember that the person in possession of the bill could be an innocent victim who does not realize that the note is suspicious.
What to do if you suspect that a note is counterfeit after a transaction:
- Give it to the local police. If it’s real, you’ll get it back.
It is a criminal offence to knowingly pass counterfeit money.
Forms
This RCMP form should be used by:
- financial institutions and retailers to submit suspected counterfeit notes to their local police and
- police agencies to submit suspected counterfeit notes to the RCMP’s National Anti-Counterfeiting Bureau
Training materials to download or order
In efforts to be more environmentally friendly, there are now fewer printed materials available for order from the Bank’s website. Feel free to download our materials and review the content online.
Privacy notice
Personal information collected by the Bank of Canada is protected under the Privacy Act. The information you provide is used to respond to your inquiry. For further information about the Bank of Canada’s privacy practices, please consult the Bank’s General Privacy Policy.
Disclaimer
The Bank of Canada offers free, postage-paid materials, but reserves the right to limit quantities.
The Bank may contact the requestor prior to shipping to verify that certain audience-specific resources are destined for the right users.