Good Afternoon,

We are urging people to remain vigilant following reports of Counterfeit Currency namely the use of what appear to Scottish Currency in Woodstock.

This involves a male that does not appear to be known to be a local within the area, entering into shops, pubs and restaurants and tries to pay for items or a service and then produces Counterfeit Scottish Currency in what appears to be an attempt to deceive the community and local businesses. 

We urge businesses to check the currency before any service or items are handed over, if you are not 100% sure that it is legitimate then please try to withhold the cash if safe to do so and call the Police on 999, if the notes have been accepted already and the suspect is not present then please report this on 101 or Home | Thames Valley Police to report it online. 

The counterfeit notes should be retained and provided to Police as evidence, and if available the CCTV of the suspect to be downloaded and provided to the Police also.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud, please remember that it is not your fault.

Please report to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Victims First provides free emotional and practical support to victims and witnesses of crime, including family members of victims. Contact them on 0300 1234 148, by Online Chat or via an Online Referral.

The Fraud Protection Toolkit focuses on the contact routes used by fraud criminals and provides the actions which someone may choose to take to try and minimise the risk as much as possible.

It also includes sections on how to safeguard personal information and finances, as well as a dedicated section detailing how it may be possible to recover money lost to fraud.

Please share information of this alert within your communities to help prevent further instances.