Special Alert: SLS00338

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Special Alert: SLS00338

Bulletin Document
V 1
Date: January 19, 2007
To: All Issuing Offices
RE: FDIC Special Alert Notices - SA-11-2007 through SA-20-2007

 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/2007/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:

 

Mary Payne Thomas
Special Alerts Stewart Legal Services
Stewart Title Guaranty Company
1980 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 710
Houston, Texas 77056
(800) 729-1902
(713) 629-2248 FAX

mthomas@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-11-2007
January 5, 2007

 

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Watertown Savings Bank,Watertown, Massachusetts, are reportedly in circulation.

 

Watertown Savings Bank, Watertown, Massachusetts, 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 a Canadian lottery scam, whereby the recipient is notified of unclaimed prize money. The counterfeit items are supposedly sent to cover processing charges or to pay taxes on winnings.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 211370176, which is assigned to Watertown Savings Bank. Counterfeit items display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-center portion of the item. However, Watertown Savings Bank issues treasurer's checks rather than cashier's checks. The bank's name, location and a telephone number that is not associated with the bank appear in the top-left corner of counterfeit items.

Authentic checks display the bank's name in the top-left corner. The wording "TREASURER'S CHECK" appears above the authorized signature line.

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:

Craig McKenna
Vice President – Security and Compliance
Watertown Savings Bank
60 Main Street
Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
Telephone: (617) 928-2311
Fax: (617) 249-1954
E-mail: cmckenna@watertownsavings.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:

Mail:

Box 686
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
P1B 8J8

Web site:

www.phonebusters.com

Telephone:

+1 (888) 495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)

Fax:

+1 (888) 654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)

E-mail:

info@phonebusters.com

Advance fee fraud (including Nigerian and lottery letters): wafl@phonebusters.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/2007/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
Director

 

 

Attachment

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-12-2007
January 5, 2007

 

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name show what the actual counterfeit check says Covenant Bank, Tunica, Mississippi, are reportedly in circulation.

 

Covenant Bank, Clarksdale, Mississippi, 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 lottery scams. Counterfeit items have accompanied several variations of prize notification letters that reflect addresses in Canada or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

While some variation is noted in the counterfeit items, they all display the routing number 084206176, which is assigned to Covenant Bank. Counterfeit items display a location of "Tunica, Mississippi " to the right of a logo in the top-left corner. In one version, Mississippi is misspelled. In another version, "Tunlea" is used rather than Tunica. Some versions display "Issued by Integrated Payment Systems Inc., Englewood , Colorado " beneath the amount line.

Authentic checks display one of the bank's locations - Clarksdale , Tunica, Robinsonville or Batesville. The following statement appears above the signature line: "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED IF OVER $20,000.00."

Copies of two 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:

Dawn M. Pearson
Vice President
Covenant Bank
P. O. Box 550
206 Sharkey Avenue
Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614
Telephone: (662) 621-1869, extension 105
Fax: (662) 627-2105
E-mail: www.covenantbank.net

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:

Mail:

Box 686
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
P1B 8J8

Web site:

www.phonebusters.com

Telephone:

+1 (888) 495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)

Fax:

+1 (888) 654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)

E-mail:

info@phonebusters.com

Advance fee fraud (including Nigerian and lottery letters): wafl@phonebusters.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/2007/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
Director

 

 

Attachment

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-13-2007
January 5, 2007

 

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit checks bearing the name Pacific Trust Bank, Chula Vista , California , are reportedly in circulation.

 

Pacific Trust Bank, FSB, Chula Vista, California, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 322274527, which is assigned to Pacific Trust Bank. Counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. Counterfeit items include the bank's name in the upper-left corner with "PAY" and "TO THE ORDER OF" fields centered in the middle. Additionally, two rectangular boxes labeled "Check Date" and "Check Amount" are printed in the upper-right corner.

Authentic checks display the routing number 122042205, which is assigned to Preferred Bank, Los Angeles , California . Pacific Trust Bank issues cashier's checks through a Preferred Bank account. Authentic checks display the bank's name and a sunburst logo in the upper-left corner with "CASHIER'S CHECK" centered below the top border. The following security statement is embedded within the top border: "WARNING: THIS CHECK HAS SECURITY FEATURES, SEE DETAILS ON BACK."

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:

Laura Larson
Compliance Officer and Internal Auditor
Pacific Trust Bank
610 Bay Boulevard
Chula Vista, California 91910
Telephone: (619) 498-0081, ext 4470
Fax: (619) 446-6206
E-mail: LauraLarson@pacifictrustbank.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/2007/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
Director

 

 

Attachment

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-14-2007
January 5, 2007

 

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit checks bearing the name Sterling National Bank, New York, New York, are reportedly in circulation.

 

Sterling National Bank, New York, New York, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a Canadian lottery scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 026007773, which is assigned to Sterling National Bank. Counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display the bank's name, an incorrect address and a phone number that is not associated with the bank in the center below the top border. Counterfeit items display a box for the amount and a "MEMO" line in the lower-left corner that references "S & B ASSET MGMT."

Authentic checks display the bank's "S" logo, name and address of " 650 Fifth Avenue , New York , NY 10019-6108 " centered below the top border. Authentic checks have ornate borders with the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" centered and embedded within the top border. The word "PURCHASER" is printed in the upper-left corner and the following disclosure notice is included in the upper-right corner: "NOTICE - IN THE EVENT THIS CHECK IS LOST, MISPLACED OR STOLEN, THE PURCHASE OF AN INDEMNITY BOND FOR TWICE THE AMOUNT WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE IT IS REPLACED OR REFUNDED." The authentic checks are blue in color and display two authorized signature lines, one in the bottom-left corner and the other in the bottom-right corner.

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:

Joseph McGee
Security Officer
Sterling National Bank
500 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10018
Telephone: (212) 575-5232
Fax: (212) 575-3485
E-mail: Joseph.McGee@sterlingnationalbank.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:

Mail:

Box 686
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
P1B 8J8

Web site:

www.phonebusters.com

Telephone:

+1 (888) 495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)

Fax:

+1 (888) 654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)

E-mail:

info@phonebusters.com

Advance fee fraud (including Nigerian and lottery letters): wafl@phonebusters.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/2007/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
Director

 

 

Attachment

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-15-2007
January 5, 2007

 

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit checks bearing the name Alliance Bank & Trust, Gastonia, North Carolina, are reportedly in circulation.

 

Alliance Bank & Trust, Gastonia, North Carolina, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a sweepstakes scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 011007092, which is assigned to Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Company, Boston , Massachusetts . The bank issues official checks through Moneygram Payment Systems, Inc., Minneapolis , Minnesota , payable through Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Company.

Counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic official checks. Counterfeit items display a logo consisting of an image of Benjamin Franklin in the upper-left corner with the words "FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS" printed beneath and "TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS CORP, USA-CA-SAN MATEO" printed to the right. The counterfeit items display the following security statement in scroll print beneath the "DOLLAR" line: "This document has a colored background. Copy Shield and a backside authentic watermark, absence of these features will indicate a copy."

Authentic checks have the following statements printed in the lower-left corner: "ISSUED BY: MONEYGRAM PAYMENT SYSTEMS, INC.," and "DRAWEE: BOSTON SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST CO." The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are displayed in the upper-left corner with the "REMITTER" printed directly beneath. The bank's name and "A" logo are centered at the top with a hologram included directly to the right. The following security statement appears below the top border on authentic checks: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE AND HOLOGRAM. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." Authentic checks display "DRAWER: ALLIANCE BANK AND TRUST" below the dollar amount line in the bottom-right corner.

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:

Bill Sudyk
President and Chief Executive Officer
Alliance Bank & Trust
292 West Main Avenue
Gastonia, North Carolina 28052
Telephone: (704) 869-8840
Fax: (704) 869-8816
E-mail: bill.sudyk@alliancebankandtrust.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/2007/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
Director

 

 

Attachment

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-16-2007
January 5, 2007

 

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Official Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit Official checks drawn on Webster Bank, National Association, Waterbury, Connecticut, are reportedly in circulation.

 

Webster Bank, National Association, Waterbury, Connecticut, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 570010101, which is not associated with the bank. Counterfeit items are similar to authentic checks however, in the upper-right corner, counterfeit items include: "ISSUED BY: TRAVELERS EXPRESS COMPANY, INC."

Authentic checks display routing number 092005411, which is assigned to First Interstate Bank. Webster Bank, National Association, issues authentic checks through a Moneygram Payment Systems, Inc. account held at First Interstate Bank. Authentic checks have ornate borders and the following security statement printed below the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO- PRINT SIGNATURE LINE. 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:

Denise M. Walker
Vice President, Financial Investigations Unit
Webster Bank, National Association
P.O. Box 1486
Farmington CT 06034
Telephone: (860) 612-5657
Fax: (860) 612-5664
dwalker@websterbank.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/2007/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
Director

 

 

Attachment

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-17-2007
January 5, 2007

 

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit checks bearing the name Sky Bank, Findlay , Ohio , are reportedly in circulation.

 

Sky Bank, Findlay, Ohio, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a Canadian scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 011007092, which is assigned to Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Company, Boston , Massachusetts . Sky Bank issues official checks through Moneygram Payment Systems, Inc., Minneapolis , Minnesota , payable through Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Company.

Counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic checks. Counterfeit items display "FILIDITY TRUST, 262 Neil Ave. , Columbus , OH 43215 " in the upper-left corner and the following security statement is embedded within the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." Counterfeit items have an error in the reference to the FDIC as shown in "MEMBER EDIC" in the upper-right corner directly below " SALINEVILLE , OHIO ." Also, a "MEMO" field is located in the bottom-left corner.

Authentic checks display "OFFICIAL CHECK" in the bottom-left corner with the following beneath: "ISSUED BY: MONEYGRAM PAYMENT SYSTEMS, INC., P.O. BOX 9476, MINNEAPOLIS, MN" and "DRAWEE: BOSTON SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST COMPANY, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS." Authentic checks include the following security statement beneath the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO- PRINT SIGNATURE LINE. 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:

Jennifer Weaver
Corporate Investigations
Sky Bank
236 S. Main Street
Findlay, Ohio 45840
Telephone: (419) 429-4664
Fax: (419) 422-5601
E-mail: jennifer.weaver@skyfi.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:

Mail:

Box 686
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
P1B 8J8

Web site:

www.phonebusters.com

Telephone:

+1 (888) 495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)

Fax:

+1 (888) 654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)

E-mail:

info@phonebusters.com

Advance fee fraud (including Nigerian and lottery letters): wafl@phonebusters.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/2007/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
Director

 

 

Attachment

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-18-2007
January 5, 2007

 

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit checks bearing the name First Premier Bank, Sioux Falls , South Dakota , are reportedly in circulation.

 

First Premier Bank, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a Canadian lottery scam.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 092005411, which is assigned to First Interstate Bank, Helena , Montana . First Premier Bank issues checks through an account at First Interstate Bank. Counterfeit items are similar to authentic checks. However, counterfeit items include the following statement embedded within the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICAL WATERMARK."

Authentic checks include the following security statement below the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICROPRINT SIGNATURE LINE. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." Authentic checks have a weave-pattern background.

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:

Jane Massmann Weber
Senior Risk Management Officer
First Premier Bank
900 W. Delaware
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
Telephone: (605) 357-3941
Fax: (605) 367-1331
E-mail: jmweber@firstpremier.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:

Mail:

Box 686
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
P1B 8J8

Web site:

www.phonebusters.com

Telephone:

+1 (888) 495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)

Fax:

+1 (888) 654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)

E-mail:

info@phonebusters.com

Advance fee fraud (including Nigerian and lottery letters): wafl@phonebusters.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/2007/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
Director

 

 

Attachment

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)



Special Alerts


 

SA-19-2007
January 5, 2007

 

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Bank of Wedowee, Wedowee, Alabama, are reportedly in circulation.

 

Bank of Wedowee, Wedowee, Alabama, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 062203641, which is assigned to Bank of Wedowee and are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. Counterfeit items include "CASHIER'S CHECK" inside a box centered at the top and with rounded corners. In the top-left corner, the bank's name is printed inside a dark-shaded box that is directly above the bank's name, address and a phone number that is not associated with the bank. Counterfeit items include a rectangle containing six arrows pointing toward "BANK OF WEDOWEE" and a box below the word "AMOUNT." Also, the following statement forms the top border of that rectangle: "MATCH THE AMOUNT IN WORDS WITH THE AMOUNT IN NUMBER." Directly to the right is an "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" line and printed below that line is "REMITTER: SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP, INC." The following security statement is embedded within the top border: "THE FACE OF THE DOCUMENT IS PRINTED RED - THE BACK CONTAINS A SIMULATED WATERMARK."

Authentic cashier's checks display the bank's logo (an image of a building), name and address in the lower-left corner. Authentic cashier's checks include the following security statement beneath the amount line: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICROPRINT SIGNATURE LINE, AUTHENTIC WATERMARK AND CHLOROSTAIN PAPER. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." Additionally, authentic checks have ornate borders and include a "REMITTER" line in the upper-left corner.

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:

Brian L. Smith
Internal Auditor
E-mail: brians@bankofwedowee.com

or

Carol Taylor
Operations Officer
E-mail: carolt@bankofwedowee.com

or

Ann McCord
BSA Officer
E-mail: annm@bankofwedowee.com

Bank of Wedowee
P.O. Box 207
Wedowee, Alabama 36278
Telephone: (256) 357-2132
Fax: (256) 357-2135

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/2007/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
Director

 

 

Attachment

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-20-2007
January 8, 2007

 

TO:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT:

Counterfeit Treasurer Checks

Summary:

Counterfeit treasurer checks bearing the name BPD Bank, New York , New York , are reportedly in circulation.

 

BPD Bank, New York, New York, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit treasurer checks bearing the institution?s name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 026010757, which is assigned to BPD Bank. The face of the counterfeit items is identical to authentic treasurer checks in appearance; however, the counterfeit items are printed on copier paper stock. The reverse side of the counterfeit items includes a watermark that reads "ORIGINAL DOCUMENT" and a box that contains security feature descriptions.

Authentic checks are printed on security paper with a blue background. The reverse side of an authentic check contains three boxes that are labeled "BANK OF FIRST DEPOSIT," "CLEARING BANK," and "PAYING BANK."

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic treasurer 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:

Eva M. Pizano
Senior Vice President, Administration
90 Broad Street, 5th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Phone Number: (212) 506-0621
Fax Number: (212) 785-4045
Email: epizano@bpdbank.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/2007/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
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 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)

 


References

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