WHEN paying for a meal recently my £20 note was returned as it was thought to be counterfeit. This was surprising as the only £20 notes that I had were from my bank as a counter withdrawal.

On taking it to another branch they confirmed that is was indeed a forgery and could not be returned or replaced. The fact that one of their branches issued the forgery made no difference.

I asked to see someone from customer relations who took details and e-mailed the manager of the branch where the note was issued.

The outcome was that he didn't believe my story and after 35 years with the same bank I do not trust them just as they do not trust me.

Consequently I now ask for notes to be scanned before I will accept them.

As an afterthought, are notes obtained from cashpoints ever checked and what would happen if a counterfeit one was issued?

MOST DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMER.