Do you use cash? Here are the 3 precautions you really can't ignore.

3 cares to take when using banknotes and coins

Did you know that the use of cash - that is, bills and coins - requires some specific care?  

According to what is read in the News at the Moment, when opting for this method of payment, the Bank of Portugal (BdP) advises bank customers to pay attention to three fundamental aspects:

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash: Physical money has no mechanism to prove ownership, making it particularly vulnerable in case of loss or theft.

• Learn how to recognize real banknotes and coins. Cash can be a target for counterfeiting, so it is essential to know how to identify the main security features to confirm if a banknote or coin is authentic.

• Keep cash in good condition: Torn, stained, or excessively damaged notes may not be accepted as a means of payment, so it is important to preserve the physical integrity of money. 

Beware of counterfeit money.

The BdP reinforces that "counterfeit notes or coins have no legal value and cannot be exchanged."  

Thus, it is essential that the user knows well the security features of the euro, in order to be able to validate the authenticity of the money at the moment it is received.

The recommendation is clear: Whenever you receive a note or coin, check its security signs and if in doubt, compare it with a sample you know to be genuine.

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