Be careful out there.
My driver withdrew 1000rmb out of a pudong development bank ATM today and got 300 rmb of fake 100's. I checked them and they are definitely fake..even have the same identical serial number and look brand new.
Anyone else have a similar experience. He feels he has no recourse but I have advised him to approach the bank and if no joy talk to the police.
The banks at least should be able to spot fakes

Yes. Now we are checking them at the bank. 3x100 fake notes is a lot.

This happened to us TWICE. Pulled $1000 out of the Pudong Bank of China ATM machine and got one fake bill with each transaction. You can't do much because the bank will deny it and confiscate the bill. This is insane. Fake bill from the BANK!
We didn't know they were fake bills until we paid for our items at BestBuy and the machine rejected them. The clerk then told us they were fake bills.
It happened to our driver once. It didn't surprise him.
I am trying to buy a pen of some sort to detect these bills.
It makes me wonder if the bank's employees slip them in. Don't they run all of the bills through their counting/detecting machine when them accept the deposits?
I guess getting money from the counter and checking them right then and there would be the best solution for withdrawing cash in China.

Unfortunately, the banks cannot be trusted. Check your notes under the security camera. If you find duds, then go straight to the teller. They will then sort it out. I have a blue light on my keyring, which is very handy. Never had a problem with BOC.

Yep, inside job, someone substituting genuine notes for fakes in the piles of 100's to be loaded into the ATM. The banks counting machines are also fake detectors so someone at the bank knows whats going on, but once you've picked up your cash from the ATM, you've had it, and will just face denials from the bank "Impossible", etc.

I've also never had a problem with BOC, sounds like people need to start boycotting Pudong Development Bank.

Let the locals sort it out.

Only withdraw from BOC Atms, and never had a problem there SO FAR (fingers crossed!!)

I've gotten a fake note from the Citibank ATM under Jin An Temple.

I didn't believe it could happen - but I was bitten by a fake redback from an ICBC ATM. Naturally, I handed it over promptly to a street-side tobacconist and got a nice wad of legit change.

Do it to me... and I'll do it right back.

Of course I don't for a moment expect that there was a "Laowaicam" with Ruprecht switching cash cassettes inside the ATM (lol) ....there would be a 99.999% chance that the recipient could well have been Chinese.

I didn't think this sort of stuff was even possible in Chinese banks, I mean by now the public would be outraged. Since I dont work in Shanghai, I exchange my stuff at the hotel cashiers.

How can one tell about a fake note?

Cheers

sweenytodd wrote:I didn't think this sort of stuff was even possible in Chinese banks, I mean by now the public would be outraged. Since I dont work in Shanghai, I exchange my stuff at the hotel cashiers.

How can one tell about a fake note?

Cheers

I've only seen one, which my friend got from an ATM a couple weeks ago.

First, the watermark was crap (it's printed shade, instead of due to varying thickness of the paper), the security strip looked dodgy, the printed lines are smooth not raised, etc etc. I didn't have UV light with me, but that would probably have further confirmed it.

Also the little number 100 changes shades when you tilt the bill.

Little wonder that China still has only denominations up to 100. While it's little sister, HK, has up to a grand. Unless the kids can be trusted, don't let them play with matches.

But even when you want to buy something with a hundred RMB note merchants whine and cry about not having change. Imagine trying to pay a cab driver with a 1,000 RMB note.

If I have a cab driver that can't change a 100 note I tell him to wait around while I get change then just f*ck off.

Where can I buy those blue light keyrings?

Really do not need one...

Easiest way to tell is to run your finger over Chairman Mao's hair.
If it feels completely smooth....Fake
If it feels like little ridges....Real.

How can one tell about a fake note?

First, the watermark was crap (it's printed shade, instead of due to varying thickness of the paper), the security strip looked dodgy, the printed lines are smooth not raised, etc etc. I didn't have UV light with me, but that would probably have further confirmed it.[/quote]

Rub your nail on the hair, if the strands are separated, then it is real, if you cannot feel them, or they are blurry, it is most likely a fake. The small 100 will also change colour. Also, feel on the bottom right hand side and the bumps will be raised. A light is also a good way to check it.

sienna wrote:Where can I buy those blue light keyrings?

you can get one at the little shops along the streets. Places that sells home items. I think you can get one from those home improvement/parts shops.
they cost about RMB 3 - 5 depending whether if it comes with a flashlight or not.

p1atl10 wrote:If it feels completely smooth....Fake
If it feels like little ridges....Real.

will this still work on an old, worn out bill?

oh_the_darkness wrote:If I have a cab driver that can't change a 100 note I tell him to wait around while I get change then just f*ck off.

It's his job to give you change up to 100. if he can't, at least give him whatever small change you have. Don't just run off! Gas price is skyrocketing and those taxi drivers are just trying to make a living.

clairiz wrote:

sienna wrote:Where can I buy those blue light keyrings?

you can get one at the little shops along the streets. Places that sells home items. I think you can get one from those home improvement/parts shops.
they cost about RMB 3 - 5 depending whether if it comes with a flashlight or not.

Just be careful where you point it. UV radiation is INVISIBLE but can seriously damage your eye. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean its not bright.

Happened to me a few times in Beijing at random ATMs, just made sure to pass them on the street. Much more annoying was actually going through the hassle of changing money inside a BoC and seeing 2 fake 100s (USD) in the tiny amount they tried to pass off to me. I refused to complete the transaction, demanded the RMB back and hightailed it over to my favorite "tea shop". Better rate, no lines, no ID, and no fakes.