Counterfeit checks bearing the name Advanta are reportedly in circulation

Advanta Bank Corporation, Draper, Utah, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 124384848, which is assigned Advanta Bank Corporation. The items have a security feature statement embedded in a top border with rounded corners. The words "CHECK NO." are displayed in the top-right corner. A box for the numeric dollar amount appears on the right side. The statement "VOID AFTER 60 DAYS FROM CHECK DATE" appears in the lower-left corner. The words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" are in the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks have security feature statements embedded in the top border between darkened squares (one in each corner and one in the center). The bank's name ("Advanta Bank Corp") appears in the top-center area. A padlock security icon is embedded in the right border.

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:

Chris J. Callister
Senior Fraud Operations Manager
Advanta Bank Corporation
11850 South Election Road
Draper, Utah 84020
Telephone: (801) 619-7453
Fax: (877) 584-0481
Email: ccallister@advanta.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-3054, 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/2010/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