Machias Savings Bank, Machias, Maine, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit treasurer checks bearing the institution’s name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 211274531, which is assigned to Machias Savings Bank. The items are dissimilar to authentic treasurer checks. The counterfeit items display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border and a crown icon at the right end of the signature area.

Authentic treasurer checks are blue with red check numbers. They display an “X” at the beginning of the signature line and the statement “VOID AFTER 60 DAYS” below the signature line. A “NOTICE TO CUSTOMER” statement is printed below the right side of a “MEMO” line, which extends across the bottom portion.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

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

Compliance Department
Machias Savings Bank
4 Center Street
P.O. Box 318
Machias, Maine 04654
Telephone: (207) 255-3347
Fax: (207) 255-9438
E-mail: LBragg@MachiasSavings.com

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. Questions 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/2008/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 electronic images of fraudulent items or authentic checks that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Financial institutions can view images of the fraudulent items and authentic checks (marked as VOID) using the FDIC's free, secure Web site, FDICconnect. (See more information about FDICconnect at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2006/fil06032.html.) Printed copies of each 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)