Bank of Latvia: The number of counterfeits in Latvia remains stable in Latvia

The most recent statistics on the security situation in the euro area are published today. Latvia is traditionally part of the euro area countries (with Estonia, Finland, Cyprus, Slovakia, Lithuania), which has the lowest number of counterfeits per capita.

2018. During the first half of the year, the Bank of Latvia received and identified 823 counterfeits (708 banknotes and 115 coins). Compared to the first half of 2017, the number of counterfeit banknotes has increased slightly (656 counterfeit banknotes have been detected), while the number of counterfeit coins has decreased (140 in the first half of 2017). Financial losses caused by counterfeiting increased slightly – the total value of counterfeit notes in the first half of 2017 was 32,109 euros, but in the first half of this year – 40,553 euros

Among the most common counterfeits in Latvia, there are 50 euros (about 75%)

The latest review of the Eurosystem shows that 301,000 counterfeit banknotes were detected in the euro area in the first half of 2018 (331,000 counterfeit notes in the first half of 2017).

The euro's most prevalent counterfeit banknotes in the zone were denominations of 50 and 20 euros (about 83% of the number of counterfeits).

The possibility of getting a fake ticket is very small. The number of counterfeits remains very low compared to the number of valid tickets in circulation. There are currently more than 21 billion sales. euro banknotes are worth more than 1.1 trillion euros

Euro coins and banknotes are well protected against counterfeiting, but that does not mean that people can lose their vigilance. Citizens and entrepreneurs are encouraged to familiarize themselves with ticket design and security features – the quality of counterfeits (especially coins) is low and it is sufficient to pinch, look at and withdraw the ticket to identify the currency. infringement. In case of suspicion, the banknotes can be transferred to the banks of the Bank of Latvia in Riga, K.Valdemara Street 1B, Liepaja Branch, Teâtra Street 3, as well as to the nearest police station.

The Bank has a single window. If previous checks on counterfeit currency have been carried out both at the Bank of Latvia and in the police structures, all suspicious funds are transferred to the Bank of Latvia's Money Lab where all euro banknotes and coins are checked. and other currencies. Meanwhile, we have managed to significantly reduce the probationary time of money, and we are currently among the leading European countries following the timely delivery of suspicious tickets submitted by citizens and processing companies money. Currently, counterfeit banknotes submitted to the Currency Laboratory of the Bank of Latvia are checked in less than a week.