Counterfeit official checks bearing the name QNB Bank, Quakertown, Pennsylvania, are reportedly in circulation

QNB Bank (formerly known as The Quakertown National Bank), Quakertown, Pennsylvania, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 092005411, which is assigned to First Interstate Bank, Helena, Montana. QNB Bank issues authentic checks through a Moneygram Payment Systems, Inc. account held at First Interstate Bank. The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic official checks and have a "VOID" background when copied. The items display a security feature statement embedded in the top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are contained in a rectangular box centered below the top border. The numerical dollar amount is also contained in a rectangular box.

Authentic official checks have a weaved-pattern background and ornate borders. The following security feature statement is on three lines in the top-left corner: "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 a rounded rectangle that is incorporated into the top border.

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:

Carl P. Kessler
Vice President of Security and Compliance
QNB Bank
15 North Third Street
Quakertown, Pennsylvania 18951
Telephone: (215) 538-5600, extension 5608
Fax: (215) 538-5794
E-mail: ckessler@qnb.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/2008/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