Special Alert: SLS00283

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...

SA-46-2006

3/17/2006

Woodhaven National Bank, Fort Worth, Texas, 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 051900353, which is assigned to the Charleston , West Virginia , branch office of Branch Banking & Trust Company (BB&T). Woodhaven National Bank issues cashier's checks through BB&T. There are at least two versions of counterfeit items bearing the name of Woodhaven National Bank. The first counterfeit item displays '"CASHIER'S CHECK'" inside a dark box in the top-center portion of the item. The bank's name is framed inside a box that is rounded on top and located in the upper-left corner of the item. The second counterfeit item displays '"CASHIER'S CHECK'" inside a dark box in the top-center portion of the item. The bank's name is printed to the right of a circular-shaped logo located in top-left corner of the item.

Authentic cashier's checks display the bank's logo of the bank's name framed inside a box that is rounded on top and located in the upper-center portion of the check. The bank's address is shown directly beneath the logo, with a remitter line displayed to the left of the bank's address. The wording '"CASHIER'S CHECK'" is displayed in the top-right corner of the check and is not inside of a box.

Copies of the two counterfeit items and 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:

Joshua Spivey
Teller Operations Officer
Woodhaven National Bank
6750 Bridge Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76112
Telephone: (817) 496-6700
Fax: (817) 496-4122
E-mail: jspivey@woodhavenbank.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)

SA-47-2006

3/17/2006

Citizens National Bank, Cameron, Texas, 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 a fictitious routing number of 044015543 and contain the following security statement in the top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A RED & BLUE BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK. HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." The counterfeit items also display a logo of the letters "NB" encircled in a large letter "C." Below the bank's name is the following address: " 102 W 18th Street , Cameron , TX 76250 ." In addition, the following statement appears below the "Authorized Signature" line: "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING."

Authentic cashier's checks contain a designed border with a security lock logo, and a security statement on the right side. The bank's logo of an enlarged letter "C" containing stars and stripes appears to the left of the bank's name in the top-center portion of the cashier's check. The city names of Cameron, Rockdale, Taylor, and Giddings appear below the bank name. The "Notice to Customers" appears in the bottom-left portion of the check and directly above the words "CASHIER'S CHECK."

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

Jeannine Dohnalik
Senior Vice President
Citizens National Bank
118 S. Houston
P.O. Drawer 111
Cameron, Texas 76250
Telephone: (254) 697-6653
Fax: (254) 697-6504
jdohnalik@cnbanktexas.com

Additional information about 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)

3/17/2006

Easthampton Savings Bank, Easthampton, 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 211870935, which is assigned to Easthampton Savings Bank, but they are dissimilar to the authentic treasurer's checks. The counterfeit items bear a green "ESB" logo, name and branch address in the top center above a toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank. The words "Cashier's Check" are printed on the lower-left side. The counterfeit items are printed on light blue paper with a herringbone pattern and a solid blue border across the top with the statement: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES – THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic treasurer's checks are issued by Travelers Express Company and display the bank's logo, name, city and state in the upper-left-hand corner. "TREASURER'S CHECK" is printed in the top-center border with an ornate blue medallion. Authentic checks are printed on gray paper with green borders on all sides.

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:

Thomas W. Brown
Senior Vice President Security Officer
Easthampton Savings Bank
36 Main Street - P O Box 351
Easthampton, MA 01027-0351
Phone: (413) 527- 4111 Ext. 230
Fax: (413) 527-0519
Email: tbrown@bankesb.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.

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-49-2006

3/17/2006

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

North Brookfield Savings Bank has been presented with and received several inquiries regarding counterfeit cashier's checks. These items claim to be issued by Integrated Payment Systems, but bear the routing number 211374091, which is assigned to the North Brookfield Savings Bank. The items are part of a "Secret Shoppers Scam," which is reportedly based in Canada . Targets of the scam are instructed to cash the check and return most of the funds to Canada in an effort to determine the efficiency of an international money transfer service. The counterfeit items display a telephone number, which is not associated with the North Brookfield Savings Bank. A copy of the counterfeit item is attached for your review.

For inquiries regarding these items, please contact:

Kirk Burnham
Vice President & Chief Technology Officer
North Brookfield Savings Bank
35 Summer Street
North Brookfield, Massachusetts 01535
Telephone: (508) 867-7442
kburnham@banknbsb.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 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:

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. 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)

SA-50-2006

3/17/2006

Strata Bank, Medway, 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 211372844, which is assigned to Strata Bank; however, Strata Bank issues official checks through U.S. Bank, St. Paul, Minnesota, and the checks display the routing number 096016765. On the counterfeit items, the bank's name and "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top-left portion. In addition, the bank's name, address and a toll-free telephone number not associated with the bank are displayed in the top-center portion of the item. The items are reportedly part of a lottery scam and are mailed from Canada.

Authentic checks are not referred to as cashier's checks, and they display the bank's logo, name and location in the top-left corner of the check. Authentic checks also display security wording directly beneath the top border.

A copy of a counterfeit item and 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:

George Rose
Assistant Vice President-Security and Compliance
or
Michele Foley
Security and Compliance Officer
Strata Bank
1000 Franklin Village Drive
Franklin, Massachusetts 02038
Telephone: (800) 339-4346, extension 276 or 207
Fax: (508) 520-1465
e-mail: grose@stratabank.com
e-mail: mfoley@stratabank.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 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:

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)

SA-51-2006

3/17/2006

The Peoples Community Bank, Mazomanie , Wisconsin , has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit personal money orders bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 075906016, which is assigned to The Peoples Community Bank, and are very similar to authentic personal money orders in style and layout. However, the counterfeit items do not have a micro-print signature line, watermark or thermochromic icon. A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of an authentic personal money order (VOID) are attached for your review.

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

Nancy Maxwell
Senior Vice President
The Peoples Community Bank
222 West Commercial Street
Mazomanie, Wisconsin 53560
Telephone: (608) 795-2120
Fax: (608) 588-2311
e-mail: nmaxwell@charterinternet.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)

SA-52-2006

3/17/2006

First Bank, Ketchikan, Alaska , 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 125200044, which is assigned to First Bank, Ketchikan, Alaska. However, the counterfeit items state they are drawn on First Bank, Austin, Texas, and are issued by Accelerated Payment Systems, Inc., Mesa, Arizona. They display the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" across the left border of the item and a logo of a "1" superimposed on top of a map of the United States, encircled in a globe. Authentic cashier's checks display the logo consisting of a large "1" to the left of the bank's name and address. A copy of a counterfeit item and 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:

Cindy Balzer
Vice President-Compliance Officer
First Bank
331 Dock Street
P. O. Box 7920
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Telephone: (907) 228-4206
Fax: (907) 228-4428
E-mail: cindy.balzer@firstbankak.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)