Special Alert: SLS00324

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

The counterfeit items display the routing number 211374020, which is assigned to The Provident Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic treasurer's checks. The counterfeit items display the following security statement embedded in the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic checks have ornate scroll borders, and the following statement appears below the written dollar amount line: "This document has a multi-color background, a micro-print signature line, and a holographic foil title; absence of these features will indicate a copy."

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

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

Sean Lydon
Vice President/Security Officer
The Provident Bank
5 Market Street
Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913
Telephone: (978) 834-8556
Fax: (978) 388-5117
E-mail: slydon@theprovidentbank.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.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site electronic images of fraudulent items or authentic checks that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Financial institutions can view images of the fraudulent items and authentic checks (marked as VOID) using the FDIC's free, secure Web site, FDICconnect. (See more information about FDICconnect at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2006/fil06032.html.) Printed copies of each 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)

RBC Centura Bank, Rocky Mount, North Carolina, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official and cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a lottery scam and are included with correspondence from either Prudential Lotto Management, Inc., or OZL; the latter is also known as OZ Lotteries or OZ Lotto International Inc., and is supposedly located in Brisbane , Australia . The correspondence is postmarked from Canada .

The counterfeit items display the routing number 044015543, which is assigned to an account of Travelers Express held at Huntington National Bank, Columbus , Ohio . RBC Centura Bank issues official checks through that account. The bank does not issue cashier's checks.

Two different types of counterfeit items are in circulation. The first type of counterfeit item displays "OFFICIAL CHECK" inside a box near, but not incorporated into, the top border. The logo of RBC and the bank's name appear directly beneath the "OFFICIAL CHECK" box. The counterfeit items have a lock symbol in the lower-right corner.

The second type of counterfeit item displays "CASHIER'S CHECK" centered at the top, with the bank's logo and a Virginia mailing address in the top-left corner. The date and amount are shown in a table format in the upper-right corner. The top and bottom borders have security wording embedded and the counterfeit items have rounded corners.

Authentic checks display "OFFICIAL CHECK" inside a box centered and incorporated into the top border, which has a scroll pattern. Security wording is displayed directly beneath the top border. The right and left sides of authentic checks also have a scroll pattern, and security wording is embedded in the bottom border. Authentic checks have preprinted letters on the far-right side of the authorized signature lines. An octagon symbol is shown in the top-right corner.

Copies of counterfeit items and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

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

Kim Gravely
Fraud Investigations Manager
RBC Centura Bank
P.O. Box 8952
Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804
Telephone: (252) 454-3978
Fax: (252) 454-2391
E-mail: kim.gravely@rbc.com

To report this scam or any other scam based in or mailed from Canada , please contact Phonebusters, which is a joint partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Phonebusters is interested in receiving copies of scam letters, particularly those involving Canadian mailing addresses or telephone numbers. Records relating to the payment of advance fees should also be forwarded to Phonebusters. This information is used to assist in the strategic targeting of would-be fraudsters. Scam letters should be forwarded to the Phonebusters National Call Center (PNCC) as follows:

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.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site electronic images of fraudulent items or authentic checks that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Financial institutions can view images of the fraudulent items and authentic checks (marked as VOID) using the FDIC's free, secure Web site, FDICconnect. (See more information about FDICconnect at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2006/fil06032.html.) Printed copies of each 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)

First Hawaiian Bank, Honolulu, Hawaii, 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 are reportedly associated with an Internet scam and are originating in Nigeria .

The counterfeit items display the routing number 121301015, which is assigned to First Hawaiian Bank. However, First Hawaiian Bank does not issue cashier's checks. The bank issues "OFFICIAL BANK CHECKS" through Bank of the West, Walnut Creek, California, and those checks bear the routing number 121100782.

The counterfeit items are dissimilar to the bank's authentic checks. The counterfeit items display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top center and have boxes for the date and numerical dollar amount. A solid white box is centered on the item and is adjacent to the wording "PAY TO THE ORDER OF." The counterfeit items also display "MAIN BRANCH," "First Hawaiian Bank," and " HONOLULU , HAWAII " on three lines in the bottom-right corner.

Authentic checks display the bank's logo and mailing address in the bottom-left corner. The words "OFFICIAL BANK CHECK" are displayed in the top-left corner of authentic checks.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

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

Nora Forsythe
Vice President
First Hawaiian Bank
P.O. Box 1959
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
Telephone: (808) 844-3071
Fax: (808) 844-3119

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.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site electronic images of fraudulent items or authentic checks that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Financial institutions can view images of the fraudulent items and authentic checks (marked as VOID) using the FDIC's free, secure Web site, FDICconnect. (See more information about FDICconnect at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2006/fil06032.html.) Printed copies of each 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)

First Madison Bank & Trust, Colbert, Georgia, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit teller's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a scam and are included with correspondence entitled "Certificate of Award." The award letters are mailed from Canada .

The counterfeit items display the routing number 044015543, which is assigned to the account of Travelers Express at Huntington National Bank, Columbus , Ohio . First Madison Bank & Trust issues teller's checks through that Travelers Express account.

The counterfeit items are similar to authentic teller's checks. However, the counterfeit items display the word "REMITTER" below the bank's logo in the top-left corner. The counterfeit items also include security wording embedded within the top border. The "ISSUED BY" and "DRAWER" information appears in the top-center portion of the counterfeit items; on authentic checks, this information appears to the right of the center at the top.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

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

Eric Johnasen
Chief Financial Officer
First Madison Bank & Trust
P. O. Box 389
Colbert, Georgia 30628
Telephone: (706) 389-7977
Fax: (706) 389-7984
E-mail: ejohansen@firstmadisonbank.com

To report this scam or any other scam based in or mailed from Canada , please contact Phonebusters, which is a joint partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Phonebusters is interested in receiving copies of scam letters, particularly those involving Canadian mailing addresses or telephone numbers. Records relating to the payment of advance fees should also be forwarded to Phonebusters. This information is used to assist in the strategic targeting of would-be fraudsters. Scam letters should be forwarded to the Phonebusters National Call Center (PNCC) as follows:

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.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site electronic images of fraudulent items or authentic checks that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Financial institutions can view images of the fraudulent items and authentic checks (marked as VOID) using the FDIC's free, secure Web site, FDICconnect. (See more information about FDICconnect at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2006/fil06032.html.) Printed copies of each 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).

1. Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Bay Bank & Trust Co., Panama City, Florida, 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 routing number 063205208, which is assigned to Bay Bank & Trust Co., but are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items have a shaded area in and around the signature line. A security statement that is embedded within the top border of the counterfeit items indicates that the "check" is void if not printed on blue and green check stock, and it also references an artificial watermark on the reverse side of the items.

Authentic checks display that bank's double "B" logo in the top-left corner, and include the following security statement embedded within the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK BACKER, MICRO-PRINT ON THE SIGNATURE LINE, & BLEED-THRU NUMBERS & MICR."

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

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

Deposit Operations
Bay Bank & Trust Co.
Panama City, Florida 32401
Telephone: (850) 769-3333

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.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site electronic images of fraudulent items or authentic checks that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Financial institutions can view images of the fraudulent items and authentic checks (marked as VOID) using the FDIC's free, secure Web site, FDICconnect. (See more information about FDICconnect at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2006/fil06032.html.) Printed copies of each 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)