Special Alert: SLS00287

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Special Alert: SLS00287

Bulletin Document
V 1
Date: March 30, 2006
To: All Issuing Offices
RE: FDIC Special Alert Notices - SA-66-2006 through SA-71-2006

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/2006/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/

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.

SA-66-2006

3/30/2006

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Official Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit official checks drawn on KeyBank National Association,Cleveland, Ohio, are reportedly in circulation.

KeyBank National Association, Cleveland, Ohio, has contacted the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

Two groups of counterfeit items display the proper routing number 102003918 and are reportedly in circulation. The first group of counterfeit checks is accompanied by a letter from "Bono Sweepstakes Lottery," which contains instructions to call 1-905-265-8952 to claim a prize. The second group of checks is accompanied by a letter from "International Trust Company" with the same telephone number, 1-905-265-8952.

The counterfeit items are very similar to authentic official checks. A 1-800 telephone number is displayed on the reverse side of the check and is not associated with KeyBank or Integrated Payment Systems.

Authentic official checks are blue with a blue scroll border printed on both sides and the top of the instrument. The body of the checks contains light blue lined cubes. The following statement appears under the memo line: "Issued by Integrated Payment Systems, Inc., Englewood , Colorado ," and is followed by "KeyBank National Association, N.A., Denver , Colorado ." The correct verification number of 1-800-223-7520 appears on the reverse side of the check.

To verify the authenticity of an official check, please use the following contact information:

Corporate Security Division
KeyBank National Association
127 Public Square
Cleveland, Ohio 44144
Telephone: (800) 433-0124

Additional information about this matter that you believe should be brought to the OCC's attention may be forwarded to:

Mail:

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Enforcement & Compliance Division, MS 8-10
250 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20219

Fax:

(202) 874-5301

E-mail:

occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov

Internet:

http://www.occ.treas.gov

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity 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/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

 

Sandra L. Thompson

 

Acting Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)


SA-67-2006

 

3/30/2006

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on Mid-Wisconsin Bank, Medford, Wisconsin , are reportedly in circulation.

Mid-Wisconsin Bank, Medford, Wisconsin, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 092005411, which is a pass-through account held at First Interstate Bank, Helena, MT , that is no longer used by Mid-Wisconsin Bank. The counterfeit items are not similar to authentic checks in appearance. The counterfeit items bear the bank's logo, name and address in the upper-left corner and display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in both the top-center area and in the lower-left corner. "PAYABLE THROUGH FIRST INTERSTATE BANK, HELENA, MT " is also printed in the lower-left corner. The bank's logo appears in the center of the counterfeit items. The following appears in the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic cashier's checks display the bank's logo, name and address in the top-center area, and "CASHIER'S CHECK" appears once in the lower-left corner. Below the amount line appears the following: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, WATERMARK AND A THERMOCHROMIC ICON: ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." A padlock security symbol appears to the right of the word "Dollars." Authentic items are light blue with blue borders.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Sandy Lukas
First VP Operations
Mid-Wisconsin Bank
132 W State St. PO Box 90
Medford, WI 54451
Telephone: (715) 748-8349
FAX: (715) 748-6553
E-mail: Slukas@midwisc.com

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity 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/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

 

Sandra L. Thompson

 

Acting 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, telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200; fax: 703-562-2296; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)


 

SA-68-2006

3/30/2006

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on TeamBank, N.A., Paola, Kansas , are reportedly in circulation.

TeamBank, N.A., Paola, Kansas, has contacted the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 101101769, which is assigned to TeamBank, N.A. There are several varieties of counterfeit items, although some bear some resemblance to authentic cashier's checks. None of the counterfeit items presented to date display the bank's telephone number and have been drawn on bank account number "490008."

Authentic cashier's checks are printed on a light cream-colored paper stock with a tan-colored zigzag pattern that is printed horizontally across the check. Authentic checks contain a black spiderweb border with a security statement along the right edge. The bank's logo and name appear in the top-center portion of authentic checks, followed by " Paola, KS 66071 - 1-800-880-6262."

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Ken Harris
SVP Risk Management/Compliance
TeamBank, N.A.
1 South Pearl Street
Paola, Kansas 66071
Telephone: (913) 259-2101
Fax: (913) 259-3504
E-mail: kenh@teamfinancialinc.com

Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the OCC's attention may be forwarded to:

Mail:

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

 

Enforcement & Compliance Division, MS 8-10
250 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20219

Fax:

(202) 874-5301

 

 

E-mail:

occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov

Internet:

http://www.occ.treas.gov

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity 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/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

 

Sandra L. Thompson

 

Acting Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)


SA-69-2006

 

3/30/2006

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on Clinton Savings Bank, Clinton, Massachusetts , are reportedly in circulation.

Clinton Savings Bank, Clinton, Massachusetts, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 211373115, which is assigned to Clinton Savings Bank. The bank issues treasurer's checks instead of cashier's checks. The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic treasurer's checks in appearance.

The counterfeit items bear the bank's name; branch addresses, and a toll-free telephone number that is not associated with the bank in the upper-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top center. The counterfeit items are printed on security paper that fades from light blue on the left to pink on the right. Descriptions of security features are printed in the top blue border.

Authentic treasurer's checks display the bank's logo and name in the upper-left corner. The words "TREASURER'S CHECK - CLINTON " appear in the top center. "2 SIGNATURES REQUIRED IF OVER $10,000" is printed above the signature lines on the lower-right side. Authentic checks are light green with watermarks and display void markings when photocopied.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Bobbi-Jo A. Williams
Deposit Operations, Compliance/Security Officer
Clinton Savings Bank
200 Church Street
Clinton, MA 01510
Telephone: (978) 365-3700 ext 222
FAX: (978) 365-3719
E-mail: bwilliams@clintonsavings.com

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity 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/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

 

Sandra L. Thompson

 

Acting 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, telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200; fax: 703-562-2296; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)


 

SA-70-2006

3/30/2006

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on Mountain National Bank, Sevierville, Tennessee , are reportedly in circulation.

Mountain National Bank, Sevierville, Tennessee, has contacted the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 064208437, which is assigned to Mountain National Bank. The counterfeit items are included with a letter notifying the recipient that he or she is a winner of the European Lottery Foundation. The letter states that the "France government" is charging a notarization and stamp duty tax; therefore, an entity known as The Royal Columbia Board of Commissions is supposedly advancing part of the winnings in the form of a cashier's check from its U.S. bank to be deposited and then wired via Western Union to China .

The counterfeit items are somewhat similar to authentic cashier's checks. However, the counterfeit items are printed in black on standard mint-green check stock. The counterfeit items do not display a border around the edge of the items, and the logo is slightly different from the logo on authentic cashier's checks.

Authentic cashier's checks are printed on standard mint-green check stock, and use green print for all wording; the logo is printed in gold. The following statement appears below the payment amount line: "This document has a micro-print signature line and a watermark. Absence of these features will indicate a copy."

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Elaine Ely
Vice President – Bank Operations/Security
Mountain National Bank
P.O. Box 6519
300 E Main Street
Sevierville, Tennessee 37864
Telephone: (865) 908-1630
Fax: (865) 428-9103
E-mail: eely@bankmnb.com

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity 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/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

 

Sandra L. Thompson

 

Acting Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)


SA-71-2006

 

3/30/2006

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit checks drawn on the Farmers State Bank, Booneville, Kentucky , are reportedly in circulation.

Farmers State Bank, Booneville, Kentucky, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

Farmers State Bank is receiving numerous inquiries on a daily basis concerning the authenticity of bank checks, such as official and cashier's checks. These checks are in a variety of styles, types and dollar amounts. Bank management is asking that financial institutions contact the bank to verify a check's authenticity prior to cashing any official or cashier's check bearing the bank's name.

For inquiries about items, please contact:

Farmers State Bank
Main Street
Booneville, Kentucky 41314
Telephone: (606) 593-5151
E-mail: wtrosper@middleforkfinancialgroup.com or
           kcallahan@middleforkfinancialgroup.com

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity 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/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

 

Sandra L. Thompson

 

Acting Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)


References

Bulletins Replaced:
  • None
Related Bulletins:
Underwriting Manual:
  • None
Exceptions Manual:
  • None
Forms:
  • None