National Bank of Poland warns of stained banknotes from ATM theft neutralization

The National Bank of Poland (NBP) has issued a warning regarding banknotes marked with distinctive red or green stains. These marks indicate that the money may have been subject to an anti-theft neutralization system, which triggers during ATM burglaries by injecting dye into the currency to render it unusable.

Individuals possessing such banknotes are advised not to attempt to clean them with chemical agents, as this can damage the security features and the paper structure. The NBP advises against accepting these notes as payment.

Exchanging stained banknotes is a complex process. Unlike standard damaged currency, which can be exchanged at any commercial bank, notes suspected of being neutralized must be presented to a district branch of the central bank. This procedure may require a police report regarding the suspected theft, and exchange typically occurs only after legal proceedings are concluded or a decision not to initiate an investigation is issued.