OTHER HOT TOPICS

   The Alabama State banking Department is committed to providing information to all the public to help them make informed decisions.  We will post information of general interest as it becomes available to us.  Please, check this page often.
Feel free to contact the Alabama State Banking Department at 1-866-465-2279.

▪ US Postal Service Money Order Information
A check issued by local Social Security offices to individuals to immediately replace a benefit payment that was not received.

▪ Features of a Treasury Check
  The FEMA disaster assistance check has "disaster assistance
  written on the bottom left of the check and FEMA's Agency
  Location Code (the ALC is 70070002) is located on the second
  line on the reverse side of the check.

▪ SSA Third Party Draft
A check issued by local Social Security offices to individuals to immediately replace a benefit payment that was not received.

▪  SSA Letter
A letter provided by local Social Security offices to individuals when they receive a third party draft at a local office.  Individuals are instructed to show this letter when cashing the third party draft.  The letter is intended to assist in verifying the individual's identity and validating the authenticity of the check.
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▪  VA Convenience Check Letter
A letter provided by Veterans Affairs to individuals when they receive a third party draft. Individuals are instructed to show this letter when cashing the third party draft. The letter is intended to assist in verifying the individual's identity and validating the authenticity of the check.

▪  VA Third Party Draft
A check issued by a Veterans Affairs office to individuals to immediately replace a benefit payment that was not received.

▪  U.S. Check Security Features
Document describing security features of Treasury checks. These features, which can help a depository institution decide whether a Treasury check is authentic. The most verifiable security feature on a Treasury check is the Treasury seal, located to the right of the Statue of Liberty, which contains security ink that will run and turn red when moistened. In addition, the amount for which a particular check was issued can be verified by calling the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Treasury check assistance number at (804) 697-2605. This number is normally available from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm eastern time, Monday through Friday; however, until further notice, operating hours will be extended to 6:30 pm. Most Treasury checks for FEMA disaster assistance are in an amount of $2,000. Depository institutions are encouraged to contact the Treasury check assistance number if an individual is seeking to cash a FEMA check in a larger amount.

▪  FEMA Check
A sample Treasury check issued for FEMA disaster payments. The check will NOT have a social security number on the check for privacy reasons. The address will be the address given by the person when they contacted FEMA to make a claim. This address will probably not be their home address and will be their temporary housing location. All checks say DISASTER ASSISTANCE near the bottom left hand side of the check, to the right of the Statue of Liberty. FEMA's Agency Location Code (ALC) 70070002 M1 FEMA WASH is located on the second line of the check. Along with another series of numbers after a case number.
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