Counterfeit treasurer's checks bearing the name Skylands Community Bank, Hackettstown, New Jersey, are reportedly in circulation

Skylands Community Bank, Hackettstown, New Jersey, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit treasurer's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a lottery scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 021209990, which is assigned to Skylands Community Bank. The items are similar to authentic treasurer's checks, except that the letter "K" in the bank's name in the top-left corner is larger than the rest of the word. In addition, a toll-free telephone number ("1-877-764-6245"), which is not associated with the bank, appears below the bank's city, state and zip code in the top-left corner. The following security feature statement is embedded within the top border: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." The statements "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK" are centered along the bottom border with a padlock icon printed on each side.

Authentic checks display the following statement embedded within the top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A MULTICOLORED BACKGROUND, MICROPRINT SIGNATURE LINES, A TRUE WATERMARK AND VISIBLE PLUS INVISIBLE FLUORESCENT FIBERS." The checks have a gold background and black print. When copied, the checks display a "VOID" background.

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:

Liz Trillo
First Vice President
Skylands Community Bank
176 Mountain Avenue
Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840
Telephone: (908) 850-9010
Fax: (908) 684-2482
E-mail: ltrillo@skylandscombank.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