Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Sovereign Bank, Dallas, Texas are reportedly in circulation

Sovereign Bank, Dallas, Texas, 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 111925676, which is assigned to Sovereign Bank; however, it is not the correct routing number used by the bank in the issuance of cashier's checks. The counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display a security feature statement in the top and bottom borders and the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top center. An unassociated logo (a lamp post icon), the bank's name and address, and a toll-free number ("1-866-228-7063"), which is not associated with the bank, are in the top-left corner. The bank's name is repeated above the signature line and "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" is printed below the line. The words "DATE," "CHECK NO" and "Amount" are parallel on the top-right side.

Authentic cashier's checks display the routing number 111924994, which is assigned to Sovereign Bank. They have a light burgundy background with dark burgundy borders. The bank's logo (a horseman with a sword icon encircled by the bank's name), name, city and state appear in the top center. The words "Cashier's Check" are in the top-right corner above "Date" and "Branch." A padlock icon and vertical security statement are embedded in the right border and the word "REMITTER" appears in the top-left corner.

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:

Melody Marshall
Branch Support Coordinator
17950 Preston Road, Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75252
Telephone: (972) 713-1113
Fax: (214) 234-1974
E-mail: mmarshall@banksov.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. ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection