Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Allegiance Community Bank, South Orange, New Jersey, are reportedly in circulation

Allegiance Community Bank, South Orange, New Jersey, 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 031918543, which is assigned to Allegiance Bank of North America, located in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. Allegiance Community Bank's checks display the routing number 021213481.

The counterfeit items display a security feature statement embedded in the top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top center and the word "REMITTER" appears in the bottom left. The bank's name, logo, location, zip code and a toll-free telephone number appear in the top-left corner.

Authentic checks are issued as "TREASURER'S CHECKS." They display the routing number 021213481, which is assigned to Allegiance Community Bank. The bank's name, logo and address are centered in the top portion. Lines are displayed for "REMITTER," "DATE," "PAY TO THE ORDER OF," and the written dollar amount.

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:

Stephen J. Buraczynski
Assistant Vice President for Information Technology, Security, and Facilities
Allegiance Community Bank
200 Valley Street
South Orange, New Jersey 07079
Telephone: (973) 761-5553, extension 116
Fax: (973) 761- 5119
E-mail: SBuraczynski@allegiancebank.com

Alternate Contacts:

Michael Williams
Branch Manager
Allegiance Community Bank
200 Valley Street
South Orange, New Jersey 07079
Telephone: (973) 761-5553, extension 104
Fax: (973) 954-9726

Taj Bhangoo
Assistant Vice President Branch Manager
Allegiance Community Bank
34 Main Street, Suite 1
Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095
Telephone: (732) 636-0077, extension 203
Fax: (732) 636-9108

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