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: SA2008019
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: SA2008019
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 Special Alert Notice provided below. All FDIC alerts are available through Stewart's searchable database. The names of all in individuals, financial institutions, and other entities reflected in the Company closing alerts emails (along with the FDIC names) are included in a searchable database that can be directly accessed at http://specialalerts.stewart.com/ or is available as a link from Stewart.com and/or Virtual Underwriter.
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/
Special Alerts
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SA-155-2008 |
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TO: |
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer) |
|
SUBJECT: |
Counterfeit Cashier's Checks |
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Summary: |
Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name BankAtlantic, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are reportedly in circulation. |
BankAtlantic, Fort Lauderdale, 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 011007092, which is assigned to a MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc. account, payable at Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co., Boston, Massachusetts. BankAtlantic issues official checks through MoneyGram Payment System, Inc.
BankAtlantic does not issue cashier's checks. However, it does issue official checks. The counterfeit items display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-middle portion of the check. A security statement is shown within the bottom border.
Authentic official checks display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" inside of a rectangular box with rounded corners that is embedded in the center of the top border. The checks also have a padlock security icon 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:
Karen Montenegro
Senior Bank Reconciliation Specialist
BankAtlantic
2100 West Cypress Creek Road
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
Telephone: (954) 940-5389
Fax: (954) 940-5380
E-mail: kmontenegro@bankatlantic.com
Alternate Contact:
Greg Scherba
Assistant Controller
BankAtlantic
2100 West Cypress Creek Road
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
Phone: (954) 940-5374
Fax: (954) 940-5360
Email: gscherba@bankatlantic.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. Questions 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/2008/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