Special Alert: SLS00294

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 ...

Special Alerts

KeyBank National Association, East Syracuse, New York, 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.

The counterfeit items display the proper routing number 102003918, and are associated with both lottery and Internet purchase scams. One group of counterfeit items is accompanied by a letter from "Hanson Public Relations, 20 St - Margaret's Bay, Halifax , Nova Scotia H3H IJ4," which notifies recipients of being the grand prize winner of an international promotion program. The recipients are instructed to call 1-902-412-0370 for further information.

The counterfeit items are printed on versa check paper in various colors. The following address appears in the upper-left portion of the counterfeit items, directly beneath the KeyBank logo: "KEY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, 121 W MANLIUS ST., EAST SYRACUSE, NY 13057." Along the top border, the following statement is displayed: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." Below the signature line is the following statement: "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING."

Authentic official checks are printed on blue check stock, with a blue scroll border printed on both sides and on the top of the check. The body of the checks contains light blue-lined cubes. In the top center portion of the check, "OFFICIAL CHECK" is displayed in black block lettering, inside of a contrasting blue-colored box. The following statement is displayed below the top border on each side of the box: "OFFICIAL CHECK: HOLD DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK." A black key is printed in the top-left portion of the check, followed by "KeyBank National Association" and the address of the issuing branch. The following statement appears under the memo line: "Issued by Integrated Payment Systems, Inc. Englewood , Colorado ," and is followed by "KeyBank National Association, Denver Colorado ." The correct verification telephone number of 1-800- 223-7520 appears of 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

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 intelligence 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:

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

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.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Special Alerts

Citizens State Bank, Woodville , Texas , 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 113119105, which is assigned to Citizens State Bank. The counterfeit items are similar to authentic checks issued at the Marlin and Spurger Branches, but dissimilar to authentic checks issued at the Woodville Branch. The counterfeit items display the words "Drawer: Citizens State Bank" and "Marlin, TX 76661" on two lines above an "Authorized Signer" line in the lower-right corner.

Citizens State Bank issues three different types of authentic checks. The Marlin Branch authentic checks display a ram's head logo, name and a toll-free number in the top center. Authentic Marlin Branch checks are light green and have security feature descriptions printed on the reverse side. Spurger Branch authentic checks display the bank and branch name, city, state and post office box address in the top center. The titles "VICE PRESIDENT" and "ASST. CASHIER" appear above the signature line in the lower right on both Marlin and Spurger Branch checks. Authentic Woodville Main Branch checks display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" vertically along the left side. A ram's head logo, name and a toll-free telephone number appear in the upper-left corner. A description of security features is embedded inside the top border.

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

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

Wanda Ferrell
Vice President, Compliance/Security
102 West Bluff
Woodville, Texas 75979
Phone: (409) 283-2561
Fax: (409) 283-7834
E-mail: wferrell@citizensbank.net

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 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)

Special Alerts

Rockport National Bank, Rockport, 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 display the routing number 11305260; however, Rockport National Bank's actual routing number 011305260. The counterfeit items are dissimilar in appearance to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the middle of the left side of the item, and the bank name, city, state and a telephone number, not associated with the bank, in the top-center portion. The counterfeit items are blue and pink. The items also have two signature areas, each following the word "Per," which is printed twice in the lower-right corner. "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING" is printed in the lower-right corner, and the reverse side has a listing of four security features. The word "REMITTER" appears in the lower-left corner, and a padlock symbol is printed in the top-right corner.

Authentic checks display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the lower-left corner. The checks are printed on light blue paper and have one signature line in the lower-right corner.

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

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

Kathryn Bruni
Security Officer
Rockport National Bank
16 Main Street
Rockport, Massachusetts 01966
Phone: (978) 546-3411
Direct: (978) 309-1230
Fax: (978) 546-3263
E-mail: kbruni@rockportnational.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 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)

Special Alerts

Bankers' Bank, Northeast, Glastonbury , Connecticut , has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that fraudulent checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The fraudulent items display the routing number 011110617, which is assigned to Bankers' Bank, Northeast. In general, bankers' banks are owned by and provide services to commercial banks. Bankers' banks do not typically issue checks to the public nor do they offer retail banking services. A copy of a fraudulent item is attached for your review.

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

Elissa Reynolds
Vice President of Operations
Bankers' Bank Northeast
655 Winding Brook Drive
Glastonbury, Connecticut 06033
Telephone: (860) 657-2265
Fax: (860) 633-5877
E-mail: egr@bankersbanknortheast.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 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)

Special Alerts

Pioneer Bank, Roswell, New Mexico, 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 an unassigned routing number 102000979. The bank issues cashier's checks, which display the routing number 312270463. The counterfeit items have been linked to a "Work from Home" scam.

The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic checks in style and format. The counterfeit items display the wording "OFFICIAL CHECK" in the top-center portion of the item. In the top-left corner is a shield logo next to the bank's name, address and a toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank. The counterfeit items contain the following statements on two lines in the upper-right corner: "Issued by Integrated Payment Systems, Inc., Englewood , Colorado " and "JPMORGAN Chase Bank, N.A., Denver , Colorado ."

Authentic checks include the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-center portion of the check and display a windmill logo in the top-left corner. The bank's name and location are displayed to the right of the logo. Authentic checks include two signature lines.

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:

Todd Huffaker
Operations Manager
Pioneer Bank
306 N. Pennsylvania Avenue
Roswell, New Mexico 88201
Telephone: (505) 624-5200
Fax: (505) 624-5260
E-mail: thuffaker@pioneerbnk.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 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)

Special Alerts

Norstates Bank, Waukegan, Illinois, 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 071923378, which is assigned to Norstates Bank, but are dissimilar in appearance to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top center and the bank name, address and a telephone number, not associated with the bank, in the lower-left corner. The counterfeit items are pale blue, and the following statement is embedded inside the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES – THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." The bank's name and a logo appear in the upper-left corner.

Authentic checks display the bank's logo, name, address and telephone number in the top-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are printed in the lower-left corner above the phrase "VOID AFTER 6 MONTHS." Authentic checks are printed on white paper with gray "NS" watermarks in the background. A vertical countersignature line appears along the left margin.

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

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

Tammy R. Wesenberg
Senior Vice President Cashier
1601 N. Lewis Avenue
Waukegan, Illinois 60085
Phone: (847) 244-6000 extension 233
Fax: (847) 244-7853
E-mail: tammy.wesenberg@norStates.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 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)

Special Alerts

Alliance Bank, Francesville, Indiana, 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 074912674, which is assigned to Alliance Bank. The counterfeit items are being presented in two different formats. The first format is similar to authentic checks, although the words "REMITTER" and "AMOUNT" are not displayed on the item. The second format is dissimilar to authentic checks and lacks the bank's logo of a flag in the top center; however, the items include the bank's name and location in the top-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks display the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the upper-right third of the check. The authentic check's logo is a flag, which appears above the bank's name and location in the top-center portion of the check. Authentic checks display the words "REMITTER," "DATE" and "AMOUNT" across the center lines 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:

Shari Hacker
Security Administrator
Alliance Bank
208 N. Meadow St.
P.O. Box 298
Otterbein, Indiana 47940
Telephone: (765) 583-4437
Fax: (765) 583-3272
E-mail: shacker@myalliancebank.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 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)