Businesses are being warned to pay careful attention to notes being used for payment, after some began circulating in Hobart featuring Chinese characters.

Police said the $50 notes are distinctively fake, with five blue and white characters on the window part of the note.

In most cases, only one fake note is being passed per transaction.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage at a number of businesses to try to identify suspects.

If anyone spots a fake note they should put it in an envelope and call Tasmania Police.

In June, police received about 20 separate reports of counterfeit $50 notes being used in northern Tasmania.

In that case, the notes were smaller and the stars in the clear window appeared to have been added by hand.