Rs 10 coins still valid, don't give in to rumours: RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has scotched rumours that fake 10-rupee coins are in circulation and asked people not to give in to such canards.

“It has been reported that some less-informed or uninformed persons who suspect the genuineness of such coins are creating doubts in the minds of ordinary people, including traders, shopkeepers, etc, impeding the circulation of these coins in certain pockets of the country causing avoidable confusion,” the RBI said in a statement.

Rumours of fake 10-rupee coins have created confusion among people in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka. Shopkeepers often show customers bagfuls of coins which are of “no use” unless deposited with the RBI.

The confusion is said to have been created by a WhatsApp message on how to “differentiate” between fake and real 10-rupee coins. The message reportedly originated in a neighbouring state and went viral even before the government scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, 2016.