WASHINGTON, Oct 23: Threatening letters sent to US banks and financial institutions declare it is payback time.

More than 50 letters filled with white powder that were mailed to Chase Bank branches and federal regulatory offices in 11 cities this week carried threats to kill their readers within 10 days.

The text of the letters was released on Thursday by the FBI.

The letters accuse the banks of stealing tens of thousands of dollars of people’s money. It says to expect repercussions, and to thank the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. It also blames a person whose name was deleted by the FBI.

So far, the powder accompanying the letters has tested negative for dangerous toxins.—AP