Bucks County Bank, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 031918831, which is assigned to Bucks County Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display the word "OFFICIAL CHECK" in the top-right area, and security feature statements embedded within a darkened top and bottom border. The bank's logo, name and address appear in the top-left corner. The word "REMITTER" is shown below the written dollar amount and "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" is below the signature line. When copied, the items display a "VOID" background.

Bucks County Bank does not issue official checks; however, it does issue cashier's checks. Authentic cashier's checks display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and an indemnity bond statement in the lower-left corner. The bank's logo, name and "Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901" are in the top-center area. The word "REMITTER" is shown in the top-left corner. A padlock icon and a vertical security statement are incorporated in the right border. The bank's name (repeated) and the words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" are shown above the signature line.

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:

David A. Coccagna
Vice President and Security Officer
Bucks County Bank
200 South Main Street
Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901
Telephone: (215) 589-6226
Fax: (215) 589-6236
E-mail: dcoccagna@buckscountybank.net

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).