WASHINGTON -- Two banks last week reported finds of circulating counterfeit checks appearing to be from their institutions.
Webster Bank, N.A. of Waterbury, Conn., reported that counterfeit official checks have been issued with a false routing number and are being presented for payment as part of a lottery scam. The fake items appear similar to the real checks, but can be identified by the following characteristics:
oCounterfeit items display a fictitious account number of 001302520010001;
oInclude an incorrect Issuer name of "Travelers Express Company, Inc."; and
oShow the drawer as "Webster Bank, M.A." instead of Webster Bank, N.A.
The fraudulent items presented to date have been payable in the amount of $1,950, use a 7-digit check serial number beginning with the series 212, and have been dated 10/19/06. Because so many false instruments are popping up using the Webster name, OCC recommended verifying all checks with that institution.
