Counterfeit checks bearing the name Harleysville National Bank, Harleysville, Pennsylvania, are reportedly in circulation

The Harleysville National Bank and Trust Company (doing business as Harleysville National Bank), Harleysville, Pennsylvania, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The items are reportedly accompanied by a letter with the letterhead "All American Publishers Association."

The counterfeit items display the routing number 022000868, which is assigned to Citibank (New York State), Buffalo, New York. Harleysville National Bank official checks are issued by Integrated Payment Systems Inc., Englewood, Colorado, through Citibank (New York State). The items are dissimilar to authentic official checks and display a "VOID" background when copied. The following security feature statement is embedded within a darkened top border with rounded corners: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." A security statement is also shown along the bottom border between two padlocks.

Authentic official checks display the words "Official Check" inside a rectangle with rounded corners in the top center. Printed on both sides of the rectangle is the following security statement: "HOLD DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK." The top and side borders have a scroll pattern with a box in each top corner and a circle in each lower corner. A padlock icon and security feature notice are in the lower-right 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:

Branch Administration
Harleysville National Bank
483 Main Street
Harleysville, Pennsylvania 19438
Telephone: (215) 256-8851, extension 64357, option #2
Fax: (215) 256-9517
E-mail: bradmin@hncbank.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