Okay, this is where you feel like a ninja. Look closely at the lettering under the Queen’s portrait—the part that says “Bank of England.” On a real note, the letters are raised and rough to the touch, like mini braille. Rub your finger over it. If it feels totally flat, something’s fishy.
Also, flip the note over. You’ll see the famous Sir Winston Churchill on the back. His big head has a micro-lettering border around his portrait. With a magnifying glass or even just sharp eyes, you should be able to read tiny text that says “£5” over and over. Forgers usually skip this because it’s absurdly hard to copy.
The foil patch test
There’s a shiny foil patch near the bottom right of the note, shaped like a big pound sign. Tilt it under a lamp. The colour should shift from gold to green as you move it. If it stays one boring colour, you’ve got a dud. Think of it like a mood ring for your money—except it tells the truth.
Another quick test: rub the edge of the note with your finger. The ink on a real polymer note won’t smudge or flake off. If your finger comes away stained, that your first clue that the note is fake.
