Counterfeit checks bearing the name Sky Bank, Findlay, Ohio, are reportedly in circulation

Sky Bank, Findlay, Ohio, 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 scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 011007092, which is assigned to Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Company, Boston, Massachusetts. Sky Bank issues official checks through Moneygram Payment Systems, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, payable through Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Company.

Counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic checks. Counterfeit items display "FILIDITY TRUST, 262 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43215" in the upper-left corner and the following security statement is embedded within the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." Counterfeit items have an error in the reference to the FDIC as shown in "MEMBER EDIC" in the upper-right corner directly below "SALINEVILLE, OHIO." Also, a "MEMO" field is located in the bottom-left corner.

Authentic checks display "OFFICIAL CHECK" in the bottom-left corner with the following beneath: "ISSUED BY: MONEYGRAM PAYMENT SYSTEMS, INC., P.O. BOX 9476, MINNEAPOLIS, MN" and "DRAWEE: BOSTON SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST COMPANY, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS." Authentic checks include the following security statement beneath the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO- PRINT SIGNATURE LINE. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY."

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:

Jennifer Weaver
Corporate Investigations
Sky Bank
236 S. Main Street
Findlay, Ohio 45840
Telephone: (419) 429-4664
Fax: (419) 422-5601
E-mail: jennifer.weaver@skyfi.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