The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has been informed that counterfeit TravelersExpress money orders are reportedly in circulation. TravelersExpress issues a wide variety of money orders, money grams, official checks, share drafts and gift certificates. Therefore, a description of each item is not included in this Special Alert. However, the www.moneygram.com Web site describes the location for displaying the money order numbers on money orders, including the stub, bank code line, and – in large block – numbers on the side or on the upper right hand corner of the money order. The signature of the purchaser should be on the item.

To verify the authenticity of TravelersExpress money grams or money orders, you may call (800) 542-3590. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Standard Time; on Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time; and on Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. An automated service is offered 24 hours a day.

To verify the authenticity of TravelersExpress official checks, you may call (800) 323-6873. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. An automated system is available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Central Standard Time; and on Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.

Information about these items 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).