Counterfeit checks drawn on Ulster Savings Bank, Kingston, New York, are reportedly in circulation

Ulster Savings Bank, Kingston, New York, 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 proper routing number of 221971264 for Ulster Savings Bank. However, the fraudulent items are referred to as official checks, whereas authentic checks are not described as a specific type of check. The style of the checks is different. The counterfeit items display the date and the dollar amount of the check below boxes on the right side of the check; authentic checks do not have boxes. The counterfeit items also reflect a "Drawer" on the left side of the check. Authentic checks display "Memo" in that area of the check. 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:

Ulster Savings Bank Call Center: 1-845-338-6322, Extensions 3421 or 3205

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/2005/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Christopher J. SpothActing Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection