THIS BULLETIN IS FURNISHED TO INFORM YOU OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS. AS A REMINDER, YOU ARE CHARGED WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTENT ON VIRTUAL UNDERWRITER AS IT EXISTS FROM TIME TO TIME AS IT APPLIES TO YOU, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS. OUR UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS DO NOT AUTHORIZE OUR ISSUING AGENTS TO ENGAGE IN SETTLEMENTS OR CLOSINGS ON BEHALF OF STEWART TITLE GUARANTY COMPANY. THIS BULLETIN IS NOT INTENDED TO DIRECT YOUR ESCROW OR SETTLEMENT PRACTICES OR TO CHANGE PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS. CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY, OR NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION SHOULD NEVER BE SHARED OR DISSEMINATED EXCEPT AS ALLOWED BY LAW. IF APPLICABLE STATE LAW OR REGULATION IMPOSES ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO COMPLY WITH THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
Special Alert: SLS00250
Search the Database
Before closing a transaction, all issuing offices must search the names of the parties to the transaction, including the seller, buyer/borrower, payoff lender and new lender, using the Special Alerts database. Go to the Special Alerts database to search for specific names, entities and properties.
Special Alert: SLS00250
Dear Associates:
This Bulletin is to advise you, in accordance with Stewart Information
Services Corporation's ("SISCO") Anti-Fraud Plan, that the FDIC has issued the
above-referenced Special Alert Notices. In order to view these and other Special
Alert Notices issued by the FDIC, please refer to the website address listed
below:
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2005/index.html
If you suspect an attempt to defraud or a fraud should ever be perpetrated against any SISCO Family Underwriter and/or its agents, please report the activity immediately to:
Patty Hoesl
Claims & Litigation Paralegal
Stewart Legal Services
Stewart Title Guaranty Company
1980 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 710
Houston, Texas 77056
(800) 729-1902
(713) 629-2248 FAX
phoesl@stewart.com
EMAIL
For on-line viewing of this bulletin, log onto http://specialalerts.stewart.com/.
SA-61-2005
6/17/2005
| TO: | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer) |
| SUBJECT: | Counterfeit Cashier's Checks |
| Summary: | Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on Sonoma Valley Bank, Sonoma, California, are reportedly in circulation. |
Sonoma Valley Bank, Sonoma, California, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.
The counterfeit items display the proper routing number of 121141615; however, the fraudulent items are markedly dissimilar to authentic bank checks. The counterfeit items display the bank name and address centered near the bottom of the check. The counterfeit items also include the wording "Cashier's Check" in the lower-left portion of the check. Authentic cashier's checks display the wording "Cashier's Check" centered at the top of the check. A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of an authentic cashier's check (VOID) are attached for your review.
Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:
Cathleen Gorham
Senior Vice President
Branch Operations Administrator
Sonoma Valley Bank
202 West Napa Street
Sonoma, California 95476
Telephone: (707) 935-3200
Fax: (707) 935-5814
cgorham@sonomavlybnk.com
Information about these instruments may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.
For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2005/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.
| Michael J. Zamorski | |
| Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection |
Attachment (not available electronically)
NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks - commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).
FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)
SA-62-2005
6/17/2005
| TO: | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer) |
| SUBJECT: | Counterfeit Cashier's Checks |
| Summary: | Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on Frontier Bank, Everett, Washington, are reportedly in circulation. |
Frontier Bank, Everett, Washington, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.
The counterfeit items display the proper routing number of 125107626 for Frontier Bank. The counterfeit items and the authentic checks are similar. However, authentic cashier's checks display the Frontier Bank logo in green and gold, while the counterfeit items display the Frontier Bank logo in green. A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of an authentic cashier's check (VOID) are attached for your review.
Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:
Marilee Paddock
Loss Prevention Officer
Frontier Bank
332 Southwest Everett Mall Way
Everett, Washington 98213
Telephone: (425) 514-3722
Fax: (425) 514-0849
mpaddock@frontierbank.com
Information about these instruments may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.
For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2005/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.
| Michael J. Zamorski | |
| Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection |
Attachment (not available electronically)
NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks ? commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).
FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)
SA-63-2005
6/17/2005
| TO: | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer) |
| SUBJECT: | Counterfeit Trust Checks |
| Summary: | Counterfeit trust checks drawn on Pacific Capital Bank, National Association, operating as Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara, California, are reportedly in circulation. |
Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara, California, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit trust checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.
The counterfeit items display the proper routing number of 122220593; however, the fraudulent items are markedly dissimilar to authentic bank checks. The layout, style and fonts are different. Counterfeit items enclose the number dollar amount of the check in a rectangle; authentic checks do not use this format. Authentic trust checks include the wording "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND ON WHITE PAPER" under the authorized signature line. A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of an authentic trust check (VOID) are attached for your review.
Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:
Reggie Ellis
SVP Enterprise Security Manager
Santa Barbara Bank & Trust
P.O. Box 61007, Mail Stop 33
Santa Barbara, California 93160-1007
Telephone: (805) 339-3724
Fax: (805) 339-4281
reggie.ellis@sbbt.com
Information about these instruments may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.
For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's website at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2005/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.
| Michael J. Zamorski | |
| Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection |
Attachment (not available electronically)
NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks - commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).
Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)
SA-64-2005
6/17/2005
| TO: | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer) |
| SUBJECT: | Entities That May Be Conducting Banking Operations Without Authorization |
| Summary: | The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has received notification of unauthorized financial institutions. |
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has advised the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that the following entities may be conducting banking business illegally or without authorization:
Gulf International Bank, Bahrain and Dubai, and
Gulf Aviation International, Ltd., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gulf International Bank, B.S.C., Bahrain, has informed the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) that the entities listed above are falsely representing that they are affiliated with the Gulf International Bank, its federal branch in New York City, or Gulf International Bank (UK) Limited, London, England. In addition, Gulf International Bank has advised that references appearing on Internet Web sites claiming that Gulf International Bank or its affiliates are involved in certain aircraft financing transactions are false. Proposed transactions should be viewed with extreme caution. Any information or questions may be brought to the attention of:
Mr. Issa N. Baconi
Executive Vice President, Branch Manager
Gulf International Bank
330 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Telephone: (212) 922-2310
Fax: (212) 922-2312
Information about this entity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.
For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2005/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.
| Michael J. Zamorski | |
| Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection |
Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)
NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940).
SA-65-2005
6/17/2005
| TO: | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer) |
| SUBJECT: | Counterfeit Cashier's Checks |
| Summary: | Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on The Citizens Banking Company, Sandusky, Ohio, are reportedly in circulation. |
The Citizens Banking Company, Sandusky, Ohio, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that fraudulent cashier's checks are in circulation.
The counterfeit items display the proper routing number of 041201635, which is assigned to The Citizens Banking Company. There are at least two versions of the counterfeit checks in circulation, and both are dissimilar to authentic checks. The first version of the counterfeit check has a background that changes from green on the left-hand side of the check to blue on the right-hand side of the check. The signature area is included in a fingerprint check box. The second version has a green background. Both counterfeit check versions have disclosures and statements surrounding the signature line that do not appear on authentic checks. In addition, the wording on the amount line is different. Copies of two counterfeit items and one authentic item (VOID) are attached for your review.
Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:
Geriann M. Sartor
Operations Officer
Citizens Banking Company
100 E. Water Street
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
Telephone: (419) 625-4121
Fax: (419) 621-1485
Email: gmsartor@citizensbankco.com
Information about these instruments may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.
For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2005/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.
| Michael J. Zamorski | |
| Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection |
Attachment (not available electronically)
NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks - commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).
Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)
SA-66-2005
6/17/2005
| TO: | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer) |
| SUBJECT: | Counterfeit Official Checks |
| Summary: | Counterfeit official checks drawn on Community Bank of Southern Indiana, New Albany, Indiana, are reportedly in circulation. |
Community Bank of Southern Indiana, New Albany, Indiana, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that fraudulent official checks are in circulation.
The counterfeit items display the proper routing number of 096016765, which was assigned to the Travelers Express Company account at Firstar Bank in Minnesota. Firstar Bank has since become U.S. Bank National Association. The counterfeit checks are similar to authentic checks. However, the counterfeit checks have a toll-free telephone number printed under the bank's logo and security wording along the top border of the check. Authentic checks do not have a toll-free telephone number or the security wording. Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic cashier's check (VOID) are attached for your review.
Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:
Tim Rigrish
Bank Security Officer
Community Bank of Southern Indiana
101 West Spring Street
New Albany, Indiana 47150
Telephone: (812) 981-7360
Fax: (812) 949-6870
Email: trigrish@cbinonline.com
Information about these instruments may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.
For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2005/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.
| Michael J. Zamorski | |
| Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection |
Attachment (not available electronically)
NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks ? commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).
Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)
References
- Bulletins Replaced:
- None
- Related Bulletins:
- Underwriting Manual:
- None
- Exceptions Manual:
- None
- Forms:
- None