On Wednesday, a staff member of a licensed premises went to a local bank to deposit its takings, and bank staff discovered the counterfeit $50 note among the cash. 

The business alerted police and the note was seized. 

An investigation is under way into the origins of the fake note, which is the second of its kind found in Tamworth this week.

On Monday, police were called to a supermarket in Calala after reports a possibly fake $50 note had been passed, and took it for investigation.

Investigators said it was a timely reminder for businesses to be alert during the busy Christmas shopping period.

They urged people to call police about any suspicious activity.