Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Piscataqua Savings Bank, Manchester, New Hampshire, are reportedly in circulation

Piscataqua Savings Bank, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 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 211474687, which is assigned to Piscataqua Savings Bank. The items include a Manchester, NH, address under the bank's name, both of which are centered below the top border. "CASHIER'S CHECK" is centered above the bottom border. A "NOTICE TO PURCHASER" statement appears in the top-left corner. A "Remitter" line is printed in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks display the bank's name in the top-left corner and an image of a sailing ship in the center below "PORTSMOUTH, N.H." "TREASURER'S CHECK" is printed above two signature lines near the lower-right corner. A padlock security symbol appears next to the lower signature line; below that line are the following statements: "VOID AFTER 180 DAYS" and "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED IF OVER $5,000.00."

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:

Joan Gile
Vice President and Operations Officer
Piscataqua Savings Bank
15 Pleasant Street
Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801
Phone: (603) 436-5250
Fax: (603) 436-5540
E-mail: j.gile@piscataqua.com

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other counterfeit 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