Counterfeit expense checks drawn on State Bank, La Grange, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

The State Bank, La Grange, Texas, 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 113104521, which is assigned to State Bank, and are similar to authentic expense checks. The counterfeit items display the bank's logo with a dark background. Although the counterfeit items display two signature lines, the items submitted for payment generally include only one signature. Additionally, the counterfeit items have boxes on the reverse side for endorsement and security features.

Authentic expense checks display the bank's logo with a light background. They also include the bank's telephone number directly beneath the bank's name and logo in the top-left portion of the check. In addition, authentic checks display two signatures lines and generally require two signatures for amounts over $10,000. The checks do not have boxes on the reverse side for endorsement.

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

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

Steven Serapin
Fraud Analyst
State Bank
202 West Colorado Street
La Grange, Texas 78945
Telephone: (979) 968-7259
Fax: (979) 968-7159
E-mail: Steven.serapin@statebanktx.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.

Sandra L. ThompsonActing Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection