Peoples National Bank, Hallstead, Pennsylvania, 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 031207607, which is assigned to the New Jersey branch of PNC Bank, National Association, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cashier's checks issued by Peoples National Bank bear the routing number 031311807. The counterfeit items are reportedly being sent from Canada.

The counterfeit items display the wording "Cashier's Check," using both upper- and lower-case lettering, in the top center. The items also display an actual bank office location in the bottom-left corner. A toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, is displayed in the bottom-left corner. Above the single signature line appears the wording "CHECKS OVER $10,000.00 MUST HAVE 2 SIGNATURES."

Authentic cashier's checks display the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK," using all capital lettering, in the top center. The checks also display a bank logo consisting of the bank's initials with the bank name and mailing address to the right of the logo. A telephone number is not displayed on authentic checks.

A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of an authentic cashier's check (VOID) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Stephen Lawrenson
Branch Administration/ Security
Peoples National Bank
50 Main Street
Hallstead, Pennsylvania 18822
Telephone: (570) 879-2175
Fax: (570) 879-4372
E-mail: stevel@peoplesnatbank.com

To report this scam or any other scam based in or mailed from Canada, please contact Phonebusters, which is a joint partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Phonebusters is interested in receiving copies of scam letters, particularly those involving Canadian mailing addresses or telephone numbers. Records relating to the payment of advance fees should also be forwarded to Phonebusters. This intelligence information is used to assist in the strategic targeting of would-be fraudsters. Scam letters should be forwarded to the Phonebusters National Call Center (PNCC) as follows:

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 website at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200; fax: 703-562-2296; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)