Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on Hampden Savings Bank, Springfield, Massachusetts, are reportedly in circulation

Hampden Bank (formerly Hampden Savings Bank), Springfield, 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 display the routing number 211870977, which is assigned to Hampden Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display the words "Cashier's Check" at the top-center portion of the item. "Hampden Savings Bank" is printed in the top-left corner above the bank's address, in which the city name is misspelled. The counterfeit items are printed on paper with a blue background.

Authentic cashier's checks bear the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" at the top-center portion of the check, along with an issuing branch office name. "Hampden Bank" is printed in the top-left corner above "Hampden Savings Bank, Springfield, Massachusetts" and below the bank's two rolling-hills logo. Authentic checks are printed on pink paper.

Copies 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:

Edward J. Kuchyt
Assistant Vice President/Security Officer
Hampden Bank
19 Harrison Avenue
Springfield, MA 01103
Telephone: (413) 736-1812
Fax: (413) 747-7427
Email: ekuchyt@hampdenbank.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