Banks obliged to check for euro counterfeiting
The European Commission has adopted a package of measures to protect the EU currency against counterfeiting.The changes include an obligation on commercial banks to ensure the authenticity of banknotes and coins before these are put back into...
The European Commission has adopted a package of measures to protect the EU currency against counterfeiting.
The changes include an obligation on commercial banks to ensure the authenticity of banknotes and coins before these are put back into circulation.
Announcing the measures, European Anti-Fraud Commissioner Siim Kallas said counterfeiting remains a considerable activity, though a Commission report shows the system for the protection of the currency is working well.
"Increased vigilance and cooperation between authorities and the industry are necessary to safeguard the use of the euro," Commissioner Kallas said.
"To enhance trust in the money used, the Commission is proposing that professional money handlers should be obliged to verify the authenticity of the money they circulate."
According to an annual report on the protection of euro coins, published by the EU executive, counterfeiting has increased although authentication efforts have largely contributed to the detection of larger numbers of counterfeits last year.
The report states that the number of coins removed from circulation rose to nearly 164,000 pieces mainly in the 2 euro denomination.
The changes include an obligation on commercial banks to ensure the authenticity of banknotes and coins before these are put back into circulation.
Announcing the measures, European Anti-Fraud Commissioner Siim Kallas said counterfeiting remains a considerable activity, though a Commission report shows the system for the protection of the currency is working well.
"Increased vigilance and cooperation between authorities and the industry are necessary to safeguard the use of the euro," Commissioner Kallas said.
"To enhance trust in the money used, the Commission is proposing that professional money handlers should be obliged to verify the authenticity of the money they circulate."
According to an annual report on the protection of euro coins, published by the EU executive, counterfeiting has increased although authentication efforts have largely contributed to the detection of larger numbers of counterfeits last year.
The report states that the number of coins removed from circulation rose to nearly 164,000 pieces mainly in the 2 euro denomination.