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SPECIAL ALERT

BSA/AML, OFAC and Fraud
October 22, 2001


TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SUBJECT: Counterfeit Official Bank Checks

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has learned that counterfeit checks have been drawn on four separate banks and are in circulation.

  • The first is Corus Bank, Chicago, Illinois. Counterfeit cashier's checks have been drawn on Corus Bank and are in circulation. Attached for your information is a copy of one of the counterfeit items. Similar items have been circulated using the same check number and the same amount. The checks have appeared in the New England area.

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

    Mr. Warren Goldberg
    Legal/Fraud Manager
    Corus Bank
    3179 Clark Street
    Chicago, Illinois 60657
    Telephone: (773) 832-7988
    Fax: (773) 244-7921

  • The second bank is First Savings Bank, Woodbridge, New Jersey. Counterfeit teller's checks been drawn on First Savings Bank and also are in circulation. Attached is a copy of one of the counterfeit items and a copy of one of the bank's legitimate checks. The perpetrator has attempted to negotiate the checks in the state of Georgia and in South Africa.

    The legitimate checks are light blue mixed with a white background. The print is dark blue except for the check number, which is printed in red. The Federal Home Loan Bank logo appears in the bottom left corner. The counterfeit checks are light blue with no white mix. The print is black. The Federal Home Loan Bank logo is missing on the counterfeit items.

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

    Ms. Karen Martino
    Audit Department
    First Savings Bank
    1000 Woodbridge Center Drive
    Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095-5003
    Telephone: (732) 726-5516

  • The third bank is Heritage Bank of Nevada, Reno, Nevada. Counterfeit cashier's checks have been drawn on Heritage Bank and are in circulation. Attached is a copy of one of the counterfeit items and a copy of one of the bank's legitimate checks. To date, the only items presented have appeared in Nevada.

    The legitimate checks have a yellow body with a green border. The counterfeit items are pink on the left side graduating to maroon on the right side. They have the bank's logo in the lower left corner. The legitimate checks do not display the bank logo.

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

    Ms. Terry Parker
    Heritage Bank of Nevada
    1401 South Virginia Street
    Reno, Nevada 89502
    Telephone: (775) 348-1000
    Fax: (775) 348-1022

  • The fourth bank is Regional Bank, New Albany, Indiana. Counterfeit official checks have been drawn on Regional Bank and are in circulation. Attached are copies of two of the counterfeit items and a copy of one of the bank's legitimate checks. To date, the items presented have appeared in New York.

    The counterfeit checks display the name "Regional Bank of Indiana Inc," which is not the correct name of the bank. Addresses and phone numbers on the counterfeits do not match legitimate telephone numbers and locations of the bank. The routing number is also missing.

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

    Mr. Michael K. Bauer
    Regional Bank
    100 East Spring Street
    New Albany, Indiana 47151
    Telephone: (812) 948-5500, Ext. 504
    Fax: (812) 948-5537

    Information about any of these counterfeit instruments also may be forwarded to the FDIC's Special Activities Section, 550 17th Street, NW, Room F-6012, Washington, DC 20429. Information also may be transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov.

    For your reference, all FDIC Financial Institution Letters published since January of 1995 may be found on the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov under "News, Events & FOIA." To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Financial Institution Letters through e-mail, please visit http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/announcements/index.html .

    Michael J. Zamorski
    Acting Director

    Attachments: (not available electronically)

    Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

    NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (800-276-6003 or (703) 562-2200).


    • Last Updated: October 22, 2001