Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Primebank, Le Mars, Iowa, are reportedly in circulation

Primebank, Le Mars, Iowa, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items bear the routing number 073902313, which is assigned to Primebank, Le Mars, Iowa, but are dissimilar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display the bank's logo, name, and an Annapolis, Maryland, address in the upper-left portion of the item. "FDIC INSURED" is printed in the top-center portion of the item and "CHEQUE NO." appears in the upper-right corner above an "IMPORTANT NOTICE." "Payable thru WF National Bank, South Central Faribault, MN," is printed in the lower-left side on four lines. The counterfeit items are green with descriptions of security features embedded in the top and bottom borders.

Authentic checks display the bank's logo, name, two cities, state, two zip codes and Web address in the top center below the words "ORIGINAL FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT." "CASHIER'S CHECK" is printed in the lower-left corner. Authentic checks have ornate borders with a padlock symbol and a security feature description embedded along the right border.

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

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

Douglas L. Van Meeteren
Executive Vice President
Primebank
37 1st Avenue, NW
Le Mars, Iowa 51031
Telephone: (712) 546-4175
FAX: (712) 546-8785
Email: doug.vanmeeteren@primebank.com or doug@primebankinc.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 Web site 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