Queensland pubs, hotels and restaurants are being urged to remain vigilant amid reports of counterfeit $50 and $100 banknotes circulating through hospitality venues across the state during the busy holiday period.
The Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) says incidents have been reported by members from the Gold Coast to Townsville, with numerous reports also emerging across Brisbane.
Regional areas, including popular tourism destinations such as Noosa, are being reminded to stay alert as opportunistic offenders target venues where cash is changing hands quickly.
Brisbane’s Story Bridge Hotel publican Richard Deery said his venue experienced counterfeit notes over the holiday period, at a time when staff were operating at full pace.
“When venues are flat out and money is moving quickly, it only takes a moment for someone to slip a fake note through,” Mr Deery said.
“This time of year is especially fast paced, which is when people are most likely to take advantage.”
He said the financial impact often extended beyond a single transaction.
“You accept the note in good faith, then hand back legitimate money as change. By the time the fake is identified, the venue has already taken a double hit,” he said.
QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan said counterfeit activity disproportionately affected small, community-based businesses.
“When someone passes counterfeit money at a pub or restaurant, they’re not stealing from a faceless business,” Mr Hogan said.
“They’re taking money from local operators, from hardworking mum and dad business owners and from the people who work hard behind the bar or on the floor. That money would otherwise stay in the local community.”
Mr Hogan warned there was also a risk to everyday customers.
“There’s a real possibility that customers could unknowingly receive counterfeit notes as change. That undermines trust and affects everyone,” he said.
The QHA said counterfeit notes can often be identified through subtle but important differences. Fake notes may feel thicker or rougher than genuine currency, be slightly different in size, lack a watermark, or include words such as “Prop” or “Specimen”.
All Australian banknotes also feature an image of the Coat of Arms that should be visible when held up to the light.
With venues operating at full capacity during peak summer trading, the QHA is encouraging operators across Queensland, including in Noosa, to brief staff, remain alert and report any suspected counterfeit activity to local police.
