Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Hoosac Bank, North Adams, Massachusetts, are reportedly in circulation

Hoosac Bank, North Adams, Massachusetts, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

Hoosac Bank does not issue cashier's checks; however, it does issue money orders and treasurer's checks.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 211871015, which is assigned to Hoosac Bank. The items also display a security feature statement embedded in the top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. A toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, and the word "REMITTER" appear in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks display a security feature statement within the top border. The words "MONEY ORDER" appear in the top center and the statement "NOT VALID OVER ONE THOUSAND U.S. DOLLARS" appears on lower-left side of the check.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Please 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:

Jeff Polucci
Security Officer
Hoosac Bank
93 Main Street
North Adams, Massachusetts 01247
Telephone: (413) 663-2188
Fax: (413) 664-8134
E-mail: jpolucci@mountainone.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/2009/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