The message, which seems to have been forwarded several times over message sending platform WhatsApp, has been flagged as fake and misleading by the government’s fact checking agency, PIB Fact Check.
This message is fake
PIB Fact Check has posted on X.com:
Do you have a ₹500 note with a star symbol (*)
Are you worried it’s fake
Fret no more
#PIBFactCheck
The message deeming such notes as fake is false!
Star marked(*)₹500 banknotes have been in circulation since December 2016
What is the star symbol in the 500 rupee note?
The note carrying star symbol was launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2016.
In an official notification, the RBI had notified of the new features in the note. “The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue ₹ 500 denomination banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi(New) series with the inset letter ‘E’ in both the number panels, bearing the signature of Dr. Urjit R. Patel Governor, Reserve Bank of India, the year of printing ‘2016’ and Swachh Bharat Logo printed on the reverse of the Banknote,” it had said.
“Some of the captioned banknotes will have an additional character ‘*’ (star) in the number panel in the space between the prefix and the number,” it had mentioned in the statement.
It was for the first time, star bank notes in 500 denomination.
How to identify fake currency notes?
Genuine Indian currency notes have a distinct texture due to the unique paper used. When you feel the note, it should have a rough texture with raised printing. Fake notes often feel different, lacking the proper texture and sometimes feeling smoother or too soft.
Indian currency notes feature a watermark with the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. To check the watermark, hold the note up to the light. The watermark should be clearly visible and appear as a semi-transparent image of Gandhi. In counterfeit notes, this watermark might be missing or poorly replicated.
Genuine notes have a security thread that is partially visible on the front of the note and runs vertically. Counterfeit notes often have a poorly replicated or missing security thread.
Indian currency notes have tiny text and intricate designs that are difficult to reproduce. On genuine notes, these texts are clear and readable. Counterfeit notes usually lack clarity in these fine details or the text may be blurred.
Genuine notes have raised printing that can be felt by running your fingers over specific areas of the note, such as the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi and other printed areas. The raised print is usually detectable by touch, while counterfeit notes might not have this feature or might have it poorly executed.
Some notes include hidden features that can only be seen when the note is held up to the light or viewed at specific angles.
