Counterfeit official checks bearing the name AnchorBank, fsb, Madison, Wisconsin, are reportedly in circulation

AnchorBank, fsb, Madison, Wisconsin, 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 044000804, which is assigned to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. AnchorBank, fsb official checks are issued by Integrated Payment Systems, Incorporated, through a payable account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic official checks. They display a security statement embedded in a darkened top border with rounded corners. The counterfeit items also display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" centered inside a rectangle with rounded corners below the top border. They have a security statement in the bottom border with a padlock icon on each side. The "fsb" is incorrectly shown as "tsb" at the end of the bank's name in the top-left corner. Some versions may include a telephone number ("1-416-831-940"), which is not associated with the bank.

Authentic official checks are blue and have ornate borders on the top and sides. They display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" centered inside a rectangle with rounded corners embedded in the top border. The statement "HOLD DOCUMENT TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK" appears on both sides of the rectangle. The bank's correct name ("AnchorBank, fsb") is in the top-left corner along with a logo and the bank's location. A security padlock and statement are on the right side above the signature line.

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:

Dave Oldenburg
Assistant Vice President and Security Coordinator
AnchorBank, fsb
25 West Main Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Telephone: (608) 252-1837
Fax: (608) 259-4106
E-mail: doldenburg@anchorbank.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