In three weeks, the Philippines’ old money or the New Design Series (NDS) that we’re all familiar with will cease to have value. Meaning, if you didn’t catch that last part, you can’t use them to pay for things anymore, regardless if you’re rolling in them.
Starting January 1, 2016, NDS will be replaced by the New Generation Currency (NGC). But, you can still swap your 30-year old banknotes with new ones until December 31, 2016. Thereafter, the old that we’re all familiar with will just be mere paper.
(OFWs, though, can still have their old banknotes replaced as long as they register online starting October 1, 2016 to December 31 , 2016 through the BSP Website. These old banknotes may be exchanged with the BSP within one year from the date of registration.)
Universal and commercial banks, thrift banks, rural and cooperative banks are the only ones authorized by the BSP to exchange NDS banknotes to NGC. There will be a surge of scammers targeting on unsuspecting victims. With counterfeit bills almost identical to the real ones, many of these frauds might actually get through.
Don’t let these scammers fool you and keep these 8 things in mind before receiving any new NDS bills.
8. Make sure the texture is rough
7. Check for blue and red fibers
Red and blue fibers are visibly scattered one both sides of NGC bills. These fibers are become more visible when you put the bill under UV light.
6. Make sure the bill has the correct denomination, Filipino icon, natural wonder, and symbol of nature
A kind of modus operandi that’s been making rounds in the news lately are scammers turning 20-peso bills into 50-peso bills. They do this by coloring the 20-peso bill into a darker red just like that of a 50-peso bill, and they write over the value in the bills’ corners. The only thing they can’t change is the face of Manuel Quezon. So if ever you get your bills exchanged or have bills given to you, make sure the Filipino icons on the money are who they should be.
Other details you should also remember are the different natural wonders and symbols of nature printed on all the bills.
5. Look for the hidden watermarks
4. Check the security threads under a UV light
3. Make sure 500 and 1000-peso bills have Optically Variable Device (OVD) Patches
2. Feel the embossed text like your life depended on it
Most of the text on NGC bills are embossed so that when you run a finger through the words “Republika ng Pilipinas,” you’ll actually feel the raised print.
1. Read through the smallest details for inconsistencies
You can’t be too careful in checking the authenticity of your money especially with the expected boom of counterfeits soon.
Make sure the alphanumeric serial number of your money is in the corners and are written on in increasing font sizes when read from the left. Take note of the baybayin script on top of the lower right corner denomination that means “Pilipino.” The spelling and signatures of the president of BPI and the country should also be spelled correctly and consistent with other bills/documents. If you see any typos or inconsistencies, return the banknote/s to the source immediately and report it to authorities.
Share your thoughts and tips in the comments!
5 comments
Same here. I recently got a 100 peso change that’s almost pink in color. But I have also noticed that the bill is around 2mm shorter than the original one.
Hi
I’d like to know if you can have your bills checked in banks for authenticity.
I’ve recently received a 100-peso bill (sukli from mercury or 7-11) and the color is a bit more purple than usual.. I’d just like to make sure i won’t be having counterfeit koney circulated around.
They have changed the color of thr new 100 peso bill , (made it much brighter). This is because the color of 1000 and 100 peso bill is almsot the same and often 1000 peso bill are being mistaken as 100.
Reply’s a little late but thanks for the info tho :)