Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name BankAtlantic, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are reportedly in circulation

BankAtlantic, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 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 011007092, which is assigned to a MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc. account, payable at Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co., Boston, Massachusetts. BankAtlantic issues official checks through MoneyGram Payment System, Inc.

BankAtlantic does not issue cashier's checks. However, it does issue official checks. The counterfeit items display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-middle portion of the check. A security statement is shown within the bottom border.

Authentic official checks display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" inside of a rectangular box with rounded corners that is embedded in the center of the top border. The checks also have a padlock security icon in the bottom 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:

Karen Montenegro
Senior Bank Reconciliation Specialist
BankAtlantic
2100 West Cypress Creek Road
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
Telephone: (954) 940-5389
Fax: (954) 940-5380
E-mail: kmontenegro@bankatlantic.com

Alternate Contact:

Greg Scherba
Assistant Controller
BankAtlantic
2100 West Cypress Creek Road
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
Phone: (954) 940-5374
Fax: (954) 940-5360
Email: gscherba@bankatlantic.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