FAKE £20 notes have been used across Wiltshire, sparking a warning from police over selling items on social media.

Wiltshire Police say they have heard from victims in Pinehurst, as well as Chippenham and Melksham, and believe the incidents to be linked.

All of them used Facebook Marketplace to sell mobile phones but were paid with counterfeit Bank of England polymer £20 notes.

PC Jordan Gratton, from the Trowbridge Area Community Policing Team, said he was now liaising with other agencies, including the National Crime Agency.

He said: “We would urge people to be vigilant when buying or selling items via social media.

“As these incidents show, it is easy to be duped by someone posing as a legitimate buyer who then uses counterfeit currency to scam you.

“Our advice would be to try to check someone’s profile to see if it seems like a genuine person ie do they have a profile picture, friends in common or contact information.

“Also, when you receive cash, there are quick checks you can do to ensure the notes aren’t counterfeit – see above & also go to the Bank of England’s website for more information on this.”

A fake note can be spotted by checking the hologram on the front. The words should change between ‘twenty’ and ‘pounds’.

And the metallic image should be gold and blue, and silver on the back.

Wiltshire Police are appealing to anyone who lives at Tedder Close in Swindon, Rope Walk in Melksham, Westerleigh Close and Charter Road in Chippenham, who may have video doorbell footage or car dash cam footage from April 30. Anyone who lives in these streets should call PC Gratton on 101.