A shopping centre which warned customers to watch out for "fake" £5 notes where the ink comes off The Queen's face easily have now said the fivers are genuine.
Last week, Kirkby Shopping Centre posted on their Facebook page to "be aware" as some "fake" £5 notes were in circulation in the area.
They said the paper feels the same as a real note but the ink could be easily scratched off The Queen's face.
After taking a sample of notes to Barclays Bank, the shopping centre have issued an update saying the notes have been examined and deemed to be genuine.
The updated message to customers said: "Update, Barclays Bank have confirmed that’s these £5 are fine to use, however if anyone has concerns, your bank should be able to exchange your notes."
This is not the first time that notes first thought fake because of a flaw have later been found to be genuine.
In 2017, The Express reported on a warning given by police about 'fake holograms' on notes that could easily be rubbed off but later the Bank of England confirmed they were genuine.
The ECHO had also reported a story about 'fake' fivers being circulated in Wirral where the ink was easily scratched off with a coin.
Somebody posted a video in a local Crimewatch group - which showed the ink coming off the notes as easily as a scratchcard when rubbed with a coin.
Richie Hendren got these in his change in Eastham, and said he had heard of others who had fallen foul of the counterfeit cash.
He said: "I've had three now. They feel slightly more 'plasticy' if that makes sense plus the ink very easily comes off when scratched with a coin like a scratchcard.
"A friend showed me one, then I got then two in my change yesterday.
Enter your postcode below to claim a free scratchcard
"The ink comes off so easy and they are hard to spot as well."
The ECHO approached the Bank of England who said they couldn't comment about the notes in this story, but added: "Whilst polymer notes are more durable, they are not indestructible. Over time they will be subject to wear, which can include damage to the foil.
"As part of the banknote lifecycle, worn banknotes are eventually removed from circulation and replaced with new notes. We remove hundreds of millions of worn banknotes from circulation every year.
"If your note is heavily damaged we will exchange it for a new note."
The Bank of England offer detailed advice as to what to look out for if you suspect a note you have been given could be a fake on their website.
The checklist below points out some of the main details to look for to see if your £5 is genuine or not.
This is the Bank of England's official guide to spotting a real new £5 note:
Check the see-through window and the portrait of the Queen.
Check the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) is gold on the front of the note and silver on the back.
Check the foil patch below the see-through window changes from 'Five' to 'Pounds' when the note is tilted.
Check the coronation crown appears 3D.
Check the ultra-violet feature.
Check the circular green foil patch on the back of the note which contains the word BLENHEIM.
