Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name USA Bankchares of Miami, Miami, Florida, are reportedly in circulation

NOVA Savings Bank, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name USA Bankchares of Miami, Miami, Florida, are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 036076053, which is assigned to NOVA Savings Bank. The items also display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and the business name "PARIA VARES COMPANY," with a Miami, Florida, address, near the top-left corner. Above the lower-left corner is a "Memo" line with "USA BANKCHARES OF MIAMI" and a Miami location printed directly above that line. A security padlock symbol is displayed on the right side.

Authentic checks display "NOVA SAVINGS BANK" in the top-left corner. "CASHIERS CHECK" is displayed near the top center directly above the "Date" line. "Member FDIC" appears in the lower-left corner. Two signature lines are printed above the lower-right corner, and the statement "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $2500.00" is printed directly above them.

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:

Eileen M. Knott
Senior Compliance Officer
NOVA Savings Bank
1235 Westlakes Drive, Suite 420
Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312
Telephone: (610) 993-4168
Fax: (610)-993-4162
E-mail: eknott@novasavingsbank.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 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