Hampden Bank, Springfield, Massachusetts, has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation

Hampden Bank, Springfield, Massachusetts, 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 211870977, which is assigned to Hampden Bank, and are similar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit checks are of two different styles and are reportedly part of a Canadian lottery scam. One counterfeit version is printed on light brown check stock, with the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" displayed in the top center. The second counterfeit version is printed on light blue check stock, with the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK – MAIN OFFICE" displayed in the top center. Both counterfeit versions have the following statement embedded in the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic cashier's checks display the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK – MAIN OFFICE" in the top center and have a framed border. The checks do not display security wording.

A copy of counterfeit items and a copy of 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
E-mail: ekuchyt@hampdenbank.com

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 intelligence 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 8J8Web site: www.phonebusters.comTelephone: +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.comAdvance 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.

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. ThompsonActing Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection