Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Haverhill Bank, Haverhill, Massachusetts, are reportedly in circulation

Haverhill Bank, Haverhill, Massachusetts, 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 211370053, which is assigned to Haverhill Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic Treasurer's checks and have a speckled background. The counterfeit items also display a security feature statement between two padlock icons centered in the bottom border. A logo, the bank's name and location, and a toll-free telephone number (1.888.360.9571), which is not associated with the bank, appear in the top center. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are in the lower-left corner and "RE" is in the top-left corner. The word "PER" precedes the signature line and the initials "MP" are at the end of the signature line. The words "Signing Officer" are printed below the signature line. A rectangle contains the numeric dollar amount on the right side.

Haverhill Bank does not issue cashier's checks; however, it does issue treasurer's checks. Authentic treasurer's checks display a darkened top border with rounded corners. The following security feature statement is embedded within the top border: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A TWO TONED COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDERS. THE REVERSE SIDE FEATURES ARTIFICIAL WATERMARKS." The bank's logo, name, slogan "Just One Bank" and branch addresses appear in the top-left corner. The words "TREASURER'S CHECK" are centered in the middle area. The word "MEMO" appears in the lower-left corner below a "NOTICE TO CUSTOMER" and indemnity bond statement inside a table. The word "BY" precedes the signature line and "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" appears below 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:

Patrick Dwyer
Treasurer
Haverhill Bank
180 Merrimack Street
Haverhill, Massachusetts 01831-2356
Telephone: (978) 374-0161
Fax: (978) 556-4256
E-mail: pdwyer@haverhillbank.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