FDIC Special Alert Notices - SA-201-2006 through SA-210-2006 | 2008-6 | Bulletins

Bulletin: SLS00308

Date:: August 29, 2006

To:: All Issuing Offices

RE:: FDIC Special Alert Notices - SA-201-2006 through SA-210-2006

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/2006/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:

Patty Hoesl
Claims & Litigation Paralegal
Stewart Legal Services
Stewart Title Guaranty Company
1980 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 710
Houston, Texas 77056
(800) 729-1902
(713) 629-2248 FAX
phoesl@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-201-2006
July 27, 2006

TO:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT:	Counterfeit State of Florida Warrants (Checks)
Summary:	Counterfeit State of Florida warrants (checks) are reportedly in circulation.

The State of Florida has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit warrants (checks) are in circulation. These warrants have "State of Florida, Department of Financial Services" imprinted near the top and display the round state seal of Florida in the upper-left corner. A State Wide Document Number (SWDN) is located in the top middle and, to date, the counterfeit items have displayed "H4000112182" as the SWDN. The counterfeit items also display a MICR encoded line, beginning with "4." The wording "Chief Financial Officer" appears beneath the signature line.

Financial institutions and consumers who receive a State of Florida warrant under suspicious circumstances or receive a State of Florida warrant with the characteristics described above should contact Mary Garvin on (850) 413-3379 or Debra Ferstler on (850) 413-3333 at the Florida Treasury.

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.

	Sandra L. Thompson
	Acting Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-202-2006
July 27, 2006

TO:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT:	Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Summary:	Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name National City Bank, Evansville, Indiana, are reportedly in circulation.

Integra Bank, N.A., Evansville, Indiana, has contacted the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name National City Bank, Evansville, Indiana , are in circulation. The counterfeit items are associated with a lottery scam and are accompanied by a sweepstakes notification letter that is purportedly from "Providence Trust, 9089 Clarke Avenue, Orangeville, ON L9W 2Y8 , (519) 722-4987." Recipients are informed of their winning status and instructed to contact an account manager at (519) 721-2585. The letter further states that "the enclosed check should be used for service charges and all applicable fees."

The counterfeit items display the routing number 081205248, which was previously assigned to National City Bank, Evansville, Indiana . National City Bank was merged into Integra Bank, N.A. As a result, there are no longer any authentic cashier's checks bearing the name National City Bank, Evansville, Indiana , in circulation.

The counterfeit items are printed on check stock that is light tan with a dark tan border. All printing appears in black ink, and a diamond pattern watermark is evident when the item is held to the light.

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

For additional information or to verify the authenticity of the check, please contact:

Gary Fein
Fraud Investigator
Security Department
Integra Bank, N.A.
227 Main Street
Evansville, Indiana 47705
Telephone: (812) 464-9672
Fax: (812) 461-9556
E-mail: gfein@integrabank.com

Additional information concerning this matter may be brought to the OCC's attention at:

Mail:	Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Special Supervision Division, MS 8-10 250 E Street, SW Washington, DC 20219
Fax:	(202) 874-5301
E-mail:	occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
Internet:	http://www.occ.treas.gov

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.

	Sandra L. Thompson
	Acting Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-203-2006
July 27, 2006

TO:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT:	Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Summary:	Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Tecumseh Building and Loan Association, Tecumseh, Nebraska, are reportedly in circulation.

Tecumseh Federal Bank, Tecumseh, Nebraska (formerly known as Tecumseh Building and Loan), 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 096016765, which is a payable through US Bank, St. Paul, MN , and are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks in appearance. The counterfeit items bear the name "Tecumseh Building & Loan Association" in the top-left corner, the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top center above the bank's address, the phrase "PAYABLE THROUGH US BANK ST PAUL, MN" in the lower left, and one authorized signature line in the lower right.

Authentic cashier's checks display the bank's logo next to the bank's name in the upper-left corner. In the top center, directly above the bank's address and telephone number, are the words "CASHIER'S CHECK." Authentic checks include the statement "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A SAFETY PAPER BACKGROUND, MICRO-PRINT AND AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK, LOOK FOR THESE FEATURES WHEN ACCEPTING" below the dollar amount line and the statement "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED" above the signature lines.

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

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

John Murphy
Vice President
Tecumseh Federal Bank
160 N. 4th Street
Tecumseh, Nebraska 68540-0318
Phone: (402) 335-3384
Fax: (402) 335-4023
E-mail: murphytbl@neb.rr.com

	Sandra L. Thompson
	Acting 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)

SA-204-2006
July 27, 2006

TO:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT:	Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Summary:	Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Newton Bank, Newton, Texas , are reportedly in circulation.

Kent County State Bank, Jayton, Texas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the name Newton Bank, but the routing number assigned to Kent County State Bank, are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 111323809, which is assigned to Kent County State Bank, and are dissimilar to Kent County State Bank's authentic checks in style. The counterfeit items display a logo consisting of "NB" followed by the words "Newton Bank" in the top-center portion of the items. Printed directly below the bank name are the words " Newton, Texas ." The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are displayed vertically on the left-hand side of the counterfeit items.

Authentic checks bear the words "BANK MONEY ORDER" in a box in the top-center portion of the checks. Printed below the box is the statement "The Purchase of an Indemnity Bond will be Required before any official check of this bank will be Replaced of Returned in the event it is Lost, Misplaced or Stolen." The bank's name, address and logo, consisting of a half-moon circle with the word "Jayton" printed across it, are displayed in the bottom-left corner. Authentic checks have printed lines for the remitter, date, payee and amount fields.

Copies of the 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:

Linda Daniels
Cashier & Senior Vice President
Kent County State Bank
102 Donaho Street
Jayton, Texas, 79528
Telephone: (806) 237-2644
Fax: (806) 237-3068
E-mail: Idaniels@jaytonstatebank.com

Fred Bradley
Executive Vice President/Operations Manager
E-mail: fbradley@westtexasbank.com

Cindra Gass
Assistant Cashier
E-mail: cgass@westtexasbank.com

Kent County State Bank
4515 Quaker Avenue
Lubbock, Texas 79424
Telephone: (806) 771-4141
Fax: (806) 774-2491

	Sandra L. Thompson
	Acting Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Attachment (not available electronically)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-205-2006
July 27, 2006

TO:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT:	Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Summary:	Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name The Peoples Bank, Tallassee, Alabama, are reportedly in circulation.

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

The counterfeit items bear the routing number 062206114, which is assigned to PrimeSouth Bank. The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic checks and display the name "The Peoples Bank" in the top center above " Tallassee, Alabama 36078 " and "Member F.D.I.C."

Authentic checks display the name "PrimeSouth" above "BANK" and "Member FDIC" in the top center of the item.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic official 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:

Melessa T. Rothwein
BSA & Security Officer
PrimeSouth Bank
301 Main Street
Tallassee, Alabama 36078
Phone: (334) 283-6594
Fax: (334) 283-4422
E-mail: mrothwein@primesouthbank.com

	Sandra L. Thompson
	Acting Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Attachment (not available electronically)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-206-2006
July 27, 2006

TO:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT:	Counterfeit Official and Cashier's Checks
Summary:	Counterfeit official and cashier's checks bearing the name First Commonwealth Bank, Indiana, Pennsylvania, are reportedly in circulation.

First Commonwealth Bank, Indiana, Pennsylvania, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation in conjunction with a Canadian and Australian power ball scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 043306826, which is assigned to First Commonwealth Bank, and either "OFFICIAL CHECK" or "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-right portion of the item. The check numbers are printed in black ink and appear in the top-right corner. Security wording is embedded in the top border.

Authentic checks display a horizontal line near the top of the check, with the following security wording centered in the line: "This Document Contains a Watermark – Hold At An Angle To View." A padlock symbol is shown on the right side of the check beneath the dollar amount line. To the right of the padlock symbol appears the following wording: "Security features included. Details on back."

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

Michael Dovicsak
Security & Fraud Investigator
First Commonwealth Bank
P.O. Box 400
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701
Telephone: (724) 349-1079
Fax: (724) 463-5589
E-mail: mdovicsak@fcbanking.com

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.

	Sandra L. Thompson
	Acting Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Attachment (not available electronically)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-207-2006
July 27, 2006

TO:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT:	Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Summary:	Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Cresco Union Savings Bank, Cresco, Iowa, are reportedly in circulation.

Cresco Union Savings Bank, Cresco, Iowa, 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 bear the routing number 073903286, which is assigned to Cresco Union Savings Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the upper-left corner just below the bank's "CUSB" logo. A telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, appears below the bank's name, city and state in the top-center portion of the items. Embedded in the top border is the statement: "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT IS PRINTED GREEN – THE BACK CONTAINS A SIMULATED WATERMARK." Padlock symbols appear in the top-right and lower-right corners, and a remitter line is printed in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks display "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the lower-left corner, and "N/K/A C US Bank" is printed along the top to the right of the bank's name and address. Authentic cashier's checks have ornate borders, and a remitter line appears in the top-left corner. "VOID AFTER 3 YEARS" is printed in the middle of the right side, and two signature lines are displayed in the lower-right corner with "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" printed under each line to the right side.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic cashier's 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:

Brenda Oberbroeckling
Data Processing Supervisor
C US Bank
f/n/a Cresco Union Savings Bank
111 North Elm Street
Post Office Box 57
Cresco, Iowa 52136
Telephone: (563) 547-2090
Fax: (563) 547-6491
E-mail: brendao@cusb.com

	Sandra L. Thompson
	Acting Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Attachment (not available electronically)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-208-2006
July 27, 2006

TO:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT:	Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Summary:	Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Citizens-Union Savings Bank, Fall River, Massachusetts, are reportedly in circulation.

Citizens-Union Savings Bank, Fall River, 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 bear the routing number 211372420, which is assigned to Citizens-Union Savings Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display "Cashier's Check" in the upper-left corner, and a telephone number, not associated with the bank, is printed below the bank's name, city, and state in the top center. Embedded in the top border is the statement "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND ON WHITE PAPER." Padlock symbols appear in the top-right corner and in the right border. A remitter line is printed in the lower-left corner. "PER:," is printed near the signature area in the lower-right corner. Embedded in the lower border is the statement "THE BACK OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK – HOLD AT AN ANGLE TO VIEW."

Authentic checks display " FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS 02721 " below the bank's name in the upper-left corner. Authentic checks are blue, do not bear the words "cashier's check," and display one authorized signature line in the lower-right corner.

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

Louis M. Steiblin, CFSSP
Assistant Vice President & Security Officer
Citizens Union Savings Bank
4 South Main Street
Fall River, Massachusetts 02722
Phone: (508) 675-4487
E-mail: louiss@citizensunionbank.com

	Sandra L. Thompson
	Acting Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Attachment (not available electronically)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-209-2006
July 27, 2006

TO:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT:	Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Summary:	Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Metropolitan National Bank, Little Rock, Arkansas, are reportedly in circulation.

Metropolitan National Bank, Little Rock, Arkansas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 082001247, which is assigned to Metropolitan National Bank, and are similar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items are printed on green check stock and the border has rounded corners. The following statement is embedded in the top border of counterfeit items: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic checks are printed on light-blue check stock.

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

Mike Shepard
Security Officer
Metropolitan National Bank
425 W. Capitol Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Telephone: (501) 377-7635
Fax: (501) 377-7640
E-mail: mshepard@metbank.com

	Sandra L. Thompson
	Acting Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Attachment (not available electronically)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-210-2006
July 28, 2006

TO:	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT:	Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Summary:	Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name North Star Bank, Roseville, Minnesota, are reportedly in circulation.

North Star Bank, Roseville, Minnesota, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 096000959, which is assigned to North Star Bank, and are similar to authentic checks. The bank's main office and branch office addresses, and telephone numbers, not associated with the bank, appear in the top-center portion of the counterfeit items below the bank's logo and name. A padlock symbol appears to the right of the signature line in the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks display the words "Member FDIC" and the bank's Web address below the bank's logo, name, two office addresses and telephone numbers in the top-center portion of the checks. Authentic checks have ornate borders. A padlock symbol and security feature statement are embedded in the right border.

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

Audrey Bentz
BSA/Security Officer
North Star Bank
4661 Hwy 61
White Bear Lake, Minnesota 55110
Phone: (651) 762-7321
Fax: (651) 489-9541
E-mail: abentz@northstarbank.com

	Sandra L. Thompson
	Acting Director Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Attachment (not available electronically)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

References

Bulletins Replaced:: None

Related Bulletins:: None

Underwriting Manual:: None

Exceptions Manual:: None

Forms:: None