Counterfeit official checks bearing the name Belmont Savings Bank, Belmont, Massachusetts, are reportedly in circulation

Belmont Savings Bank, Belmont, Massachusetts, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 211371764, which is assigned to Belmont Savings Bank. The lower-left corner includes a statement that the counterfeit items are issued by New England Payment Systems, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts. Belmont Savings Bank issues authentic checks through an account at Bank of America, N.A. (formerly known as Fleet Bank in Massachusetts). Authentic checks display the routing number 011000138, which is assigned to Bank of America, N.A.

The counterfeit items display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" within a box in the top-center portion. A logo of a dove in the foreground over a tilted box with dark shades and stripes is displayed in the top-left corner next to the bank's name and address. The FDIC logo is shown on the upper-right side of the item.

Authentic checks are not referred to as official checks and include no logos. Authentic checks display the bank's name, location and the phrase "A COMMUNITY BANK OVER A CENTURY OF SERVICE" in the top-center portion. The words "FLEET BANK" and "Massachusetts" are shown in the bottom-left corner.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

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

Susan D. Rizzo
Assistant Vice President and Security Officer
Belmont Savings Bank
2 Leonard Street
Belmont, Massachusetts 02478
Telephone: (617) 484-6700 Extension 130
Fax: (617) 484-5609
E-mail: susan.rizzo@belmontsavings.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 website 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