Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on The State Bank of Viroqua, Viroqua, Wisconsin, are reportedly in circulation

The State Bank of Viroqua, Viroqua, 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 075910905, which is assigned to The State Bank of Viroqua; however, they are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the upper-left portion of the item and the bank's name in the top-left corner. The counterfeit items also display a telephone number not associated with the bank.

Authentic cashier's checks display a semicircle logo above the bank's name in the top-center portion of the check. Authentic checks also display the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the bottom-left portion of the check. The checks do not display a telephone number. The following statement is displayed along the top of authentic checks: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, WATERMARK AND A THERMOCHROMIC ICON. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY."

A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of 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:

Tom Trautsch
Assistant Vice President
The State Bank of Viroqua
101 Main Street
Viroqua, Wisconsin 54665
Telephone: (608) 637-3127
Fax: (608) 637-3394
Email: infodesk@statebanviroqua.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