Counterfeit money orders bearing the name Apple Bank for Savings, New York, New York, are reportedly in circulation

Apple Bank for Savings, Manhasset, New York, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit money orders bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the appropriate routing number 102000979, which is assigned to JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. Apple Bank for Savings issues money orders through Integrated Payment Systems, Inc., Englewood, Colorado, payable through JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. The counterfeit items are similar to authentic money orders. The counterfeit items display a telephone number, not associated with the bank, in the lower-left corner. The statement "NOT GOOD FOR AMOUNT OVER FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS" is printed above and on the right side of the "Pay to the Order of" line. That statement is also directly below the "Pay $" area. A small padlock symbol is printed along the right border of the counterfeit items.

Apple Bank for Savings issues two types of authentic money orders. All authentic money orders display the statement "NOT GOOD FOR AMOUNT OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000)" centered on the right side. Authentic money orders are light green with a large apple-shaped watermark in the center.

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

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

Joseph Zayas
Assistant Treasurer
Assistant Security Officer
122 East 42nd Street 9th Floor
New York, New York 10168
Telephone: (212) 224-6465
Fax: (212) 224-6599
E-mail: JZAYAS@APPLE-BANK.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