A vegetable trader from Ramasamudram mandal of Palamaner police sub-division recently completed his business at Chikkaballapur in neighbouring Karnataka. Later, to his dismay, he found that he was given counterfeit currency. The local police asked him to approach the Karnataka police.
On Monday, a finance company in Puttur town found counterfeit currency in its chest having coming through a customer’s monthly loan instalment for payment.
Counterfeit currency of almost all denominations has reportedly found its way into the pockets of public making them helpless in many parts of Chittoor district. Many of the victims prefer to suffer the loss in silence, since “possession of counterfeit currency” is also a crime. Residents of towns and villages bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka remain most vulnerable to the menace.
With rumours that ATMs are dispensing counterfeit currency, many people are preferring online transactions or withdrawing cash directly from the bank. Many apprehend that ATMs located in isolated places and rural areas are vulnerable to counterfeit currency.
‘No need to panic’
Deputy SP (Palamaner) K. Chowdeswari said there is no need for the public to worry about counterfeit currency if it comes from an ATM. “The customers can directly approach the bank concerned and lodge a complaint in this regard. The bank authorities would replace the notes. According to our observation, there is no chance of counterfeit currency coming from ATMs as the numbers of the currency notes would be recorded,”, she said.
As a precaution, some customers are taking photos of the notes while making payments to avoid claims of having provided fake ones. In some cases, executives working for banks and finance companies collect the instalments or penalties from customers and the next day, the latter are told that they had given fake notes.
“People from middle-class sections generally shudder at the information, but they remain silent and don’t dare to lodge a complaint. They simply make payments again. When the customers ask the executives about fake currency notes, the answer would be: Such stuff should be immediately destroyed,” a bank official in Chittoor observed.
Fearing counterfeits, many small traders and vegetable vendors are unwilling to accept brand new notes of any denomination. If a currency note is wrinkled or worn out, it is a sign that it is genuine, they feel.
Police helpless
A senior police officer said the police are helpless in dealing with complaints of fake currency. “The victim should furnish the details as to how and from where he has obtained the note. This is not possible in all cases. The police also have certain guidelines which bar us to entertain the cases if the quantum of counterfeit currency is small. Only in case of big amounts we can initiate investigation,” the official said.
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