Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on Horicon Bank, Horicon, Wisconsin, are reportedly in circulation

Horicon Bank, Horicon, Wisconsin, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 075905622, which is assigned to Horicon Bank, but are dissimilar in style to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display the wording "Cashier's Check" in the top-left portion of the check and the bank's name and location in the top center. The counterfeit items also display a telephone number – not associated with the bank – directly beneath the location and refer to the bank as Horicon State Bank, rather than Horicon Bank. The counterfeit items do not display a logo, but contain security wording embedded in the top border of the item.

Authentic cashier's checks display a logo in the top-center portion of the check, above the bank's name and location. The wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" is displayed in the bottom-left portion of the check. Security wording is displayed beneath the dollar line.

A copy of a counterfeit item and an authentic cashier's check (VOID) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Sheila Kast
Teller Coordinator – Fraud Prevention
Horicon Bank
326 E. Lake St.
Horicon, Wisconsin 53032
Telephone: (920) 485-3040, extension 7366
Fax: (920) 485-3049
sheilak@horiconbank.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. Information 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/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Christopher J. SpothActing Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection