BOJ needs to educate our citizens

THE EDITOR, Madam:
It saddens me whenever I receive a torn, defaced or crumpled banknote as part of the change I am given when conducting business in public.
Last week, I visited a local gas station to purchase JA$2,000 worth of gasoline. I handed the pump attendant a JA$5,000 note and was later given a JA$1,000 note as part of my change that had “JA$5,000” boldly written across it with a permanent marker.
I later tried to use the note at my local supermarket to purchase a small item but it was not accepted. As a result, I had to visit my bank to have it exchanged.
This is not the first time I have encountered such a situation.
Is it legal to write on, tear or otherwise deface Jamaican banknotes? Perhaps the Bank of Jamaica needs to further educate citizens that this practice is unacceptable under any circumstance.

Wesley Thomas