Clinton Savings Bank, Clinton, Massachusetts, 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 211373115, which is assigned to Clinton Savings Bank. The bank issues treasurer's checks instead of cashier's checks. The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic treasurer's checks in appearance.

The counterfeit items bear the bank's name; branch addresses, and a toll-free telephone number that is not associated with the bank in the upper-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top center. The counterfeit items are printed on security paper that fades from light blue on the left to pink on the right. Descriptions of security features are printed in the top blue border.

Authentic treasurer's checks display the bank's logo and name in the upper-left corner. The words "TREASURER'S CHECK - CLINTON" appear in the top center. "2 SIGNATURES REQUIRED IF OVER $10,000" is printed above the signature lines on the lower-right side. Authentic checks are light green with watermarks and display void markings when photocopied.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review.

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

Bobbi-Jo A. Williams
Deposit Operations, Compliance/Security Officer
Clinton Savings Bank
200 Church Street
Clinton, MA 01510
Telephone: (978) 365-3700 ext 222
FAX: (978) 365-3719
E-mail: bwilliams@clintonsavings.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. 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/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)