Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Berkshire Bank, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, are reportedly in circulation

Berkshire Bank, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation in association with a lottery scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 211871691, which is assigned to Berkshire Bank. In addition, below the logo, bank name and mailing address in the top-left corner, the items display a toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank.

Authentic checks include a "Memo" line in the lower-left corner. In addition, the checks display the statement "2 Signatures Required If Over $10,000.00" below the right side of the written amount line and above the signature lines.

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:

Sally Angers
Security Officer
Berkshire Bank
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
Telephone: (413) 236-3256 or (413) 564-6448
Fax: (413) 448-2082
E-mail: sangers@berkshirebank.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. Questions 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 http://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