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Special Alerts

SA-131-2005
September 30, 2005


TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)
SUBJECT: Fraudulent Checks -- Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Summary: The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has issued an alert stating that fraudulent checks are in circulation.

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has issued an alert stating that fraudulent checks bearing its name are in circulation. The Federal Reserve Bank does not issue checking accounts.

Detailed below are characteristics of the fraudulent items:

  • All items are pre-authorized and state "no signature required."
  • The words "Federal Reserve Bank" are inscribed on the top-center of the check.
  • The background color varies.
  • A fraudulent account holder’s name and address are inscribed in the top-left corner.
  • Dollar amounts vary between $49.95, $59.95 and $149.00.

Authorized Federal Reserve Bank checks have the following characteristics:

  • Checks are signed by Janet L. Yellen.
  • The words "Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco" with the address are inscribed on the top-left corner.
  • The background color is light blue, with the words "Federal Reserve Bank" shaded in the background throughout the item.
  • The payee name and address are printed in the lower-left corner.

If you have any questions or you have seen a possible fraudulent Federal Reserve Bank check, please contact:

Rafael Barillas
Supervisor, Check Services
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Telephone: (415) 974-2875

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. Information 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 Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2005/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Christopher J. Spoth

Acting Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Last Updated 9/30/2005 communications@fdic.gov