Counterfeit official checks bearing the name of Franklin Savings Bank, Franklin, New Hampshire, are reportedly in circulation

Franklin Savings Bank, Franklin, New Hampshire, 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 096016765, which is assigned to U.S. Bank, St. Paul, Minnesota. Franklin Savings Bank issues official checks through U.S. Bank. The counterfeit items are very similar in appearance to authentic checks and include the number "02" above the bank's name and address on the upper-left side.

Authentic official checks have a watermark consisting of the bank's logo, which includes two leaves directly above the letters "fsb." The watermark is located in the center of the check. Authentic official checks also display small serial numbers printed vertically along the left margin.

A copy of a counterfeit item 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:

Kenneth S. Duguay
Vice President
Risk Management Officer
387 Central Street
Franklin, New Hampshire, 03235
Phone: (603) 934-8345
Fax: (603) 934-6538
E-mail: duguay@fsbnh.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