Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on BankNewport (formerly known as Bank of Newport), Newport, Rhode Island, are reportedly in circulation

BankNewport, Newport, Rhode Island, 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 0211574462, which is not a valid routing number. BankNewport issues Treasurer's Checks, which display the proper routing number 211574642. Also, the counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic official checks in style, font and layout. The counterfeit items display a telephone number that is not associated with the bank. Authentic checks do not have a telephone number printed on the checks. A copy of a counterfeit item and an authentic official check (VOID) are attached for your review.

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

Denise Tansey
Assistant Vice President – Security Officer
BankNewport
Headquarter Office
12 Turner Road
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842
Telephone: (401) 845-8607
Fax: (401) 847-2366
Denise.tansey@banknewport.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/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