Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Northway Bank, Berlin, New Hampshire, are reportedly in circulation

Northway Bank, Berlin, New Hampshire, 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 011700425, which is assigned to Northway Bank. Northway Bank does not issue cashier's checks. It does, however, issue official checks through MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota. Authentic official checks display the routing number 011007092, which is assigned to a MoneyGram Payment Systems account held at Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, Boston, Massachusetts.

The counterfeit items display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" inside a darkened box in the top center. A security feature statement is centered in a darkened box in the top border. A rectangle containing the numerical amount appears in the middle of the item. The restrictive statement "COUNTER SIGNATURE REQUIRED FOR AMOUNTS OVER $5,000.00" appears below the signature line.

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:

Yolanda Kelley
Security Officer
Northway Bank
P.O. Box 9
Berlin, New Hampshire
Telephone: (603) 752-1171, extension 2709
Fax: (603) 752-4620
E-mail: ykelley@northwaybank.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