Counterfeit official checks bearing the name Amboy National Bank, Old Bridge, New Jersey, are reportedly in circulation

Amboy Bank, Old Bridge, New Jersey, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. Amboy Bank does not issue official checks; however, it does issue cashier's checks.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 021204416, which is assigned to Amboy Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic checks. A security feature statement is embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are in the top-center area. The bank's name and location are displayed in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks have a basket weave background with ornate borders. A padlock security icon is embedded in the right border. A "NOTICE TO CLIENTS" statement appears below the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the lower-left corner.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic VOID check 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:

Jane Minervini
Security Officer
Amboy Bank
3590 U.S. Highway 9
Old Bridge, New Jersey 08857
Telephone: (732) 591-8700, extension 5946
Fax: (732) 591-8953
E-mail: jminervini@amboybank.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 ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection