The Federal Reserve Banks have issued an alert describing two counterfeit scams involving U.S. Treasury checks. The following common characteristics have been identified.

The first scam of counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks has the following characteristics:

• The inventory control number at the top of the check is "S 339,338,063";
• The same last eight digits—89,455,573—are included in the check number;
• All checks have "Austin, Texas" printed next to the date, and immediately preceding the check number;
• Immediately below the check number is the wording "andover tax refund";
• The MICR line has "040405" before the amount field;
• The MICR line was not produced using magnetic ink; and
• The date, amount, payee name and address differ on each check.

The second scam of counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks has the following characteristics:

• In most instances, the inventory control number at the top of the check is "A 369,261,360";
• The same last eight digits –72,914,561—are included in the check number;
• All checks have "Austin, Texas" printed next to the date, and immediately preceding the check number;
• The MICR line has "190405" before the amount field;
• The MICR line was produced using magnetic ink; and
• The date, amount, payee name and address differ on each check.

The Richmond Federal Reserve Bank can verify U.S. Treasury check information at (804) 697-2605. Security features of Treasury checks are displayed at: http://www.fms.treas.gov/checkclaims/check_security_new.pdf 112k (PDF Help).

Information about these checks 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.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (1-877-275-3342 or (703) 562-2200).