Belmont Savings Bank, Belmont, Massachusetts, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit money orders bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 0220008683, which is not a valid routing number, and are dissimilar to authentic money orders issued by Belmont Savings Bank. The counterfeit items display the words "NOT GOOD FOR MORE THAN $10,000.00" in the lower-left corner. The statement "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER" is embedded within the top border. Centered along the bottom border between two padlock symbols are the statements "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK."

Authentic money orders are issued through Integrated Payment Systems, Inc., Englewood, Colorado, payable through Citibank, N.A., Buffalo, New York, and include the routing number 022000868. Authentic money orders have ornate top and side borders, and the statement "NOT GOOD FOR MORE THAN $1,000" is printed in the lower-left corner. "HOLD DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK" is printed twice below the top border.

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

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

Susan D. Rizzo
Assistant Vice President/Security Officer
Belmont Savings Bank
2 Leonard Street
Belmont, Massachusetts 02478
Telephone: (617) 484-6700, extension 130
Fax: (617) 484-5609
E-mail: susan.rizzo@belmontsavings.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 website 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 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)