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Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Ameriana Savings Bank, New Castle, Indiana, are reportedly in circulation

Americana Bank, SB (formerly named Ameriana Savings Bank)

New Castle, IN

Contact: 

Al Williams
al.williams@ameriana.com
Voice (765) 521-7702
Fax (765) 521-7516

Ameriana Bank, SB (formerly named Ameriana Savings Bank), New Castle, Indiana, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's former name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a secret shopper scam originating in Canada and the United Kingdom.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 274970717, which is assigned to Ameriana Bank, SB, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic official checks. The counterfeit items have ornate borders on three sides and display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" inside a rectangle with rounded corners centered within the top border. The following security statement appears on each side of the rectangle: "HOLD THIS DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK." "AMERIANA SAVINGS BANK, 2118 BUNDY AVENUE, NEW CASTLE, IN 47362-2922" appears in the lower-left corner.

Ameriana Bank, SB, issues official checks, rather than cashier's checks. Authentic checks display the wording "OFFICIAL CHECK" in the top center. The top border is dark gray and contains the following security statement printed in white: "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND-NOT A WHITE BACKGROUND. THE BACK OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS AN ARTIFICAL WATERMARK-HOLD AT AN ANGLE TO VIEW." The word "Ameriana" and the bank's name, city, state and zip code are printed in the upper-left corner. Checks are gray in color and have a "VOID" background when copied.

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:

Al Williams
Security Director
Ameriana Bank, SB
2118 Bundy Avenue
New Castle, Indiana 47362-2922
Telephone: (765) 521-7702
Fax: (765) 521-7516
E-mail: al.williams@ameriana.com

To report this scam or any other scam based in or mailed from Canada, please contact Phonebusters, which is a joint partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Phonebusters is interested in receiving copies of scam letters, particularly those involving Canadian mailing addresses or telephone numbers. Records relating to the payment of advance fees should also be forwarded to Phonebusters. This information is used to assist in the strategic targeting of would-be fraudsters. Scam letters should be forwarded to the Phonebusters National Call Center (PNCC) as follows:

Mail: Box 686
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
P1B 8J8Web site: www.phonebusters.comTelephone: +1 (888) 495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)Fax: +1 (888) 654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)E-mail: info@phonebusters.comAdvance fee fraud (including Nigerian and lottery letters): wafl@phonebusters.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/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Sandra L. Thompson
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

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