Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Big Sky Western Bank, Bozeman, Montana, are reportedly in circulation

Big Sky Western Bank, Bozeman, Montana, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are being circulated with a mystery shopper scam letter.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 092901654, which is assigned to Big Sky Western Bank. However, Big Sky Western Bank issues cashier's checks through an account at Huntington National Bank, Columbus, Ohio. Therefore, authentic cashier's checks reflect the routing number 044015543.

The counterfeit items display the following on the left side of the item: "BIG SKY WESTERN BANK, Payable Through Big Sky Western Bank, Bozeman, MT, For Inquiries call 1-888-262-0398." Also, the items reflect two signature lines and the word "REMITTER" appears in the lower-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks have ornate borders on all sides and a watermark of the bank's logo and name. They have the following statement in the lower-left corner: "PAYABLE THROUGH HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, COLUMBUS, OHIO." Authentic cashier's checks have only one 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:

Steven Sullivan
Security Officer
Big Sky Western Bank
4150 Valley Commons Drive
Bozeman, Montana 59718
Telephone: (406) 556-3832
Fax: (406) 548-3905
E-mail: ssullivan@bigskybank.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/2008/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. ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection