Banknotes in circulation that look rather strange, for instance, are discoloured, burnt or washed to remove ink dye, may originate from criminal activities. It is a punishable offence to receive and use banknotes that evidently originate from criminal activities.
The Riksbank has decided not to redeem banknotes which are discoloured by ink cartridges in security devices. It is the Riksbank's view that these banknotes have been intentionally discoloured or damaged as a signal to those later offered these notes in payment not to accept them. The Riksbank may decide to make exceptions in certain cases, if the ink stains are limited and it is not obvious that the person presenting the notes should have detected them.
What do I do if I have received a discoloured banknote?
If you have accepted by mistake an individual discoloured banknote or one that has a strange appearance, you should hand it in to your bank or to Svensk Kassaservice. At the bank you should provide proof of your identity and explain how you came by the banknote or how it became discoloured. If the banknote has not been discoloured by security ink dye, the bank can replace it. However, if it is discoloured by ink dye, an explanation must be provided on a special form that the bank will provide. You will receive a receipt for the note from the bank. The bank will then send the note, together with your explanation, to Sveriges riksbank, Box 170, 431 22 Mölndal.
The Riksbank will then decide whether you should receive compensation for the note. If the note is redeemed, the money will be paid into the bank account you have stated on the form. If the Riksbank considers you should have noticed that the banknote was discoloured, burnt or washed, no compensation will be paid.
The main rules are quite simple:
- Refuse to accept banknotes that are discoloured, burnt or washed, or in some other way appear to have been tampered with.
- Refer persons/customers with such banknotes to the banks.
- If you have accepted a suspicious note by mistake, take it to your bank.
- If you have been negligent, that is to say, you should have noticed that the banknote was discoloured, burnt or washed, you will forfeit the value of the note.
Please note that this applies to banknotes discoloured by the ink dyes used as security protection. Banknotes that have been discoloured by accident by coffee, wine or similar substances may be redeemed through the banks as usual.
Example of discoloured banknotes
Several different colours of ink dye are used in security devices for banknotes. The most common are green, red, black and blue and combinations of these colours. The amount of ink can vary and the ink may even have been bleached or cleaned, which leads to different shades. Washing banknotes usually causes damage to the foil strip.
Discolouration can occur on any part of the banknote, but most often along the edges. There have also been cases of painting over the ink stains with, for instance, Tippex.
Burnt sections or edges can be evidence of crime. One should pay extra attention when parts of a banknote have been cut or torn off, as this could indicate an attempt to remove ink stains. There are special regulations for redeeming parts of banknotes, but if there is reason to suspect that parts of the notes have been removed because of ink stains, the assessment made will be stricter.
A brochure about discoloured banknotes has been issued by the Swedish Bankers' Association in consultation with the Riksbank. The brochure can be obtained from any bank.