Tasmania Police is reminding businesses in the greater Hobart area to be vigilant following reports that a number of fake $50 notes continue to be circulating.

The $50 notes look like the legal tender but are distinctively fake and have noticeable Chinese characters printed on both sides.

The volume of the transactions is not large, in most cases with only one fake note being passed per transaction.

Police are asking businesses to be vigilant by checking the authenticity of notes given to them, especially during the busy Christmas shopping period, prior to accepting them as legal tender.

Police would also like to remind anyone in possession of fake notes that using those to pay for goods or services may constitute a criminal offence.