Due to operational issues resulting from Hurricane Katrina, certain Social Security Administration offices are issuing handwritten, typewritten, and laser Social Security checks.

Banks in the impacted areas and surrounding states may see these items presented for payment as recipients pick up their checks and take them to their temporary locations for processing.

The FDIC is encouraging banks to assist those impacted by Hurricane Katrina by honoring – after reasonable verifications – handwritten, typewritten, and laser Social Security checks issued by Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama Social Security Offices.

FDIC officials have been in contact with Social Security Administration officials, who indicated that they were not aware of any fraud problems relating to third-party drafts in previous weather-related disasters.

Distribution:
FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Suggested Routing:
Chief Executive Officer
Compliance Officer

Assistant Regional Director Cheryl Couch at ccouch@fdic.gov or (972) 761-2070 (Louisiana)

Assistant Regional Director Patricia Lenfert at plenfert@fdic.gov or (901) 821-5203 (Mississippi)

FDIC Call Center 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342)

Note:
FDIC financial institution letters (FILs) may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2005/index.html ..

To receive FILs electronically, please visit http://www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/fil.html .

Paper copies of FDIC FILs 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).