Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name RidgeWood Savings Bank, Ridgewood, New York, are reportedly in circulation

Ridgewood Savings Bank, New York, New York, 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 display the routing number 226071033, which is assigned to Ridgewood Savings Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic checks. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are centered at the top of the counterfeit items. The bank's name (with an upper-case "W" in the middle of the name) and address are printed in the lower-left corner. A padlock symbol is embedded in the right border.

Authentic checks display the bank's name and logo in the upper-left corner. The words "TELLERS CHECK" are centered below the top border.

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:

Lisa Funaro
Assistant Vice President and Compliance Officer
71-02 Forest Avenue
Ridgewood, New York 11385
Phone: (718) 240-4942
Fax: (718) 381-2069
E-mail: lfunaro@ridgewoodbank.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
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection