Counterfeit checks bearing the name Sterling National Bank, New York, New York, are reportedly in circulation

Sterling National Bank, New York, New York, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a Canadian lottery scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 026007773, which is assigned to Sterling National Bank. Counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display the bank's name, an incorrect address and a phone number that is not associated with the bank in the center below the top border. Counterfeit items display a box for the amount and a "MEMO" line in the lower-left corner that references "S & B ASSET MGMT."

Authentic checks display the bank's "S" logo, name and address of "650 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019-6108" centered below the top border. Authentic checks have ornate borders with the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" centered and embedded within the top border. The word "PURCHASER" is printed in the upper-left corner and the following disclosure notice is included in the upper-right corner: "NOTICE - IN THE EVENT THIS CHECK IS LOST, MISPLACED OR STOLEN, THE PURCHASE OF AN INDEMNITY BOND FOR TWICE THE AMOUNT WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE IT IS REPLACED OR REFUNDED." The authentic checks are blue in color and display two authorized signature lines, one in the bottom-left corner and the other in the bottom-right 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:

Joseph McGee
Security Officer
Sterling National Bank
500 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10018
Telephone: (212) 575-5232
Fax: (212) 575-3485
E-mail: Joseph.McGee@sterlingnationalbank.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 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