Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name StonehamBank, Stoneham, Massachusetts, are reportedly in circulation

StonehamBank, a Co-operative Bank, Stoneham, 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 211371586, which is assigned to Stoneham Bank. The items also display a security statement embedded in the top border and show a toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, on the left side below the bank's name. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are in the top center.

Authentic cashier's checks display the words "CASHIERS CHECK" in the bottom-left corner and "MEMBER FDIC" in the top center.

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:

Michael McGrath
Security Manager
StonehamBank
80 Montvale Avenue
Stoneham, Massachusetts 02180
Telephone: (781) 481-5835
Fax: (781) 481-5959
E-mail: mmcgrath@stonehambank.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