Ripped Banknotes: Can You Spend Damaged Notes in Shops?

Almost everyone has come across a ripped or worn-out banknote at some point. It can be a bit confusing if you are at the till with a note that has seen better days.

You might start to wonder if shops will actually accept damaged notes. The rules around using ripped cash are not always clear, especially if the tear looks pretty bad.

If you have ever felt unsure about handing over a torn fiver or tenner, you are not alone. Let’s take a look at what really happens with damaged banknotes in the UK.

What Counts As Too Damaged To Use?

If you come across a banknote with a bit of wear and tear, it is not always obvious whether you can actually spend it. A small rip or a neat bit of tape does not always make a note unusable.

Most shops make their own call. Some might accept a note with a corner missing or a minor tear, while others might not. If large pieces are missing or if writing and marks cover key details, there is a good chance the note will be turned down. For banks and cash-handling machines, the important thing is whether enough of the original design is still there to clearly identify the note. Features such as the hologram, serial number and see-through window help with that.

As a rule of thumb, if more than half the note is missing or the design is hard to make out, you are likely to have problems spending or exchanging it. If you are unsure, it might help to look closely at those security features rather than the size of the tear alone.

How Retailers Decide Whether To Accept Damaged Notes

If you hand over a damaged note in a shop, it is up to the cashier to decide if they will take it, often guided by the store’s policy. Some will accept a slightly torn or worn note if the security features are intact. Others prefer to refuse anything that looks altered or hard to check.

Self-checkouts and note readers can be particularly strict. A machine may reject notes if a corner is missing, a tear runs through the clear window, or tape and heavy creases interfere with the sensors. Even heavy pen marks or stickers can trigger a rejection.

Larger retailers often train staff to spot counterfeit and damaged notes. If the see-through window, hologram or foil patches are missing, covered or unclear, the safest option for them is to refuse the note. That does not mean the note has no value; it just means it might need to be checked or exchanged elsewhere.

What UK Banks Will Do With Ripped Notes

If you find a banknote that is torn, written on or has a corner missing, UK banks have a process for dealing with it. Staff will look at how much of the note is left and whether the key security features are still visible and intact.

In many cases, banks will swap a damaged note for one of the same value if they are confident it is genuine and enough of it remains. If the damage is more severe, the branch may record a few details and send the note away for specialist checks. Banks work with the Bank of England on these decisions, which helps keep things consistent and reduces the risk of accepting counterfeits.

There are situations where a bank will refuse an on-the-spot exchange, such as when notes are badly burnt, heavily stained or mostly missing. In those cases, a formal assessment is more likely, and you may be asked for basic information about how you came by the note so records can be kept.

How To Exchange Damaged Notes At Banks

You can usually take a damaged note into your local branch, where staff will inspect it and decide what to do next. They might ask for identification, especially if the note needs to be sent away for checks, and they will assess whether the key features are still present.

Very badly damaged notes, or notes in multiple pieces, may be sent to the Bank of England for review. This can take time, and some applications take several weeks to process. If the note is confirmed as genuine and enough of it survives, the value is normally paid out.

There is no guarantee that every damaged note will be swapped, but it could be worth asking if a reasonable portion remains and the design can be verified. If in doubt, your bank can explain which notes they can handle in branch and which need a specialist assessment.

Tips To Avoid Notes Being Rejected In Shops

If you have ever been caught out with a note a shop refuses to take, it can feel a bit awkward. Keeping your cash in good shape makes refusals less likely and helps machines read notes more easily.

Try to store notes flat in a wallet or purse rather than crumpling them into a pocket. Polymer notes can crease sharply, and repeated folding can lead to tears, especially across the clear window. Avoid getting notes wet, and do not dry them near direct heat, which can warp the plastic.

It could also help not to write on notes or use sticky tape to “fix” a rip. Heavy marks, stickers and tape can cover security features and give staff or machines a reason to reject the note. If a note does get damaged and a shop will not take it, a bank or the Bank of England’s assessment process may still be able to help. 

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