Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name PathFinder Bank, Oswego, New York, are reportedly in circulation

PathFinder Bank, Oswego, New York, 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 cashier's checks display the routing number 221370894, which is assigned to PathFinder Bank. PathFinder Bank does not issue cashier's checks; however, it does issue official checks that display the routing number 096016765, which is assigned to U.S. Bank, Saint Paul, Minnesota. PathFinder Bank's authentic official checks are drawn on a MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc. account payable through U.S. Bank.

The counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic official checks. On the counterfeit items, the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top center with an indemnity bond statement centered below. A security feature statement is embedded in the top and bottom borders and a security padlock is displayed in the right border. Printed in the top-left corner are the bank's logo, name and the wording "Payable at Pathfinder Bank, Oswego, NY" and "For Inquires call 1-877-446-3108" (a telephone number not associated with the bank). "REMITTER" appears in the bottom-left corner and "Operator I.D." and "Office AU#" appear on the top-right side. The counterfeit items have one signature line and a "VOID" background when copied.

Authentic official checks display the following security feature statements below the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are in the top-center area. The statement "ISSUED BY: MONEYGRAM PAYMENT SYSTEMS, INC., P.O. BOX 9476, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55480, DRAWEE: US BANK, ST. PAUL, MN" is centered below the written dollar amount line. The bank's logo, name, the words "MEMBER FDIC" and bank address appear in the top-left corner. The bank's name is repeated as "DRAWER" above two signature lines on the right side.

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:

Melissa A. Miller
Senior Vice President, Chief Operations Officer, and Compliance Officer
PathFinder Bank
214 West 1st Street
Oswego, New York 13126
Telephone: (315) 343-0057, extension 8001
Fax: (315) 342-9403
E-mail: mamiller@pathfinderbank.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