Counterfeit Money!?

Jameselaprendi

I was looking for some advice...

I recently went on holiday to Germany and bought euros at a well known currency exchange bureau (they have branches across UK) in London before I left. I bought around 600 euros and got about 8x 50 euro notes and smaller to make up the rest.

On the final day of the holiday I tried to spend my last 50 euro note in a prominent german chain store (Saturn) only to found it was a fake. The police were called I was officially read my rights with regards to attempting to distribute counterfeit money - and was fined 400 euros!

The police were ultimately happy that I did not do so knowingly and will likely return the fine once checks have been made and paperwork completed. The 50 euro note itself was confiscated.

I was wondering what I should do next?

I think I should contact the london currency exchange place as I am 100% certain that the note came from them, although they may argue this cannot be proven. If I do contact them Im not sure what way to approach it - all guns blazing for money back or compensation or merely inform them they might have someone dodgy in that branch?

I could also speak to my bank as I used my BOS Ultimate Reward Card to buy the currency - Im not sure if this sort of thing is covered in the long list of benefits. I also wondered if my travel insurance would pay out - if not for the fraudulant note but for the fine?

Any advice would be appreciated - ive not been able to find anyone who's ever experienced this, which i find surprising!

spiro

I would write to the company concerned ideally including a copy of the receipt when you bought the currency and also the fine paperwork from Germany. In the letter I would state that the only place I obtained any €50 notes was from their branch and as a result you have (a) lost €50 and (b) lost €400 in a fine as a result of them not checking the currency they have issued and that you expect them to reimburse you. If they aren't forthcoming I would report them to the police in the local area as 'selling' counterfiet currency.