Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Covenant Bank, Tunica, Mississippi, are reportedly in circulation

Covenant Bank, Clarksdale, Mississippi, 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 are reportedly associated with lottery scams. Counterfeit items have accompanied several variations of prize notification letters that reflect addresses in Canada or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

While some variation is noted in the counterfeit items, they all display the routing number 084206176, which is assigned to Covenant Bank. Counterfeit items display a location of "Tunica, Mississippi" to the right of a logo in the top-left corner. In one version, Mississippi is misspelled. In another version, "Tunlea" is used rather than Tunica. Some versions display "Issued by Integrated Payment Systems Inc., Englewood, Colorado" beneath the amount line.

Authentic checks display one of the bank's locations - Clarksdale, Tunica, Robinsonville or Batesville. The following statement appears above the signature line: "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED IF OVER $20,000.00."

Copies of two counterfeit items 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:

Dawn M. Pearson
Vice President
Covenant Bank
P. O. Box 550
206 Sharkey Avenue
Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614
Telephone: (662) 621-1869, extension 105
Fax: (662) 627-2105
E-mail: www.covenantbank.net

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 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 website at www.fdic.gov/news/news/specialalert/2007/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. Thompson
Director