Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Irwin Union Bank are reportedly in circulation

Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company, Columbus, Indiana, 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 074902341, which is assigned to Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company, and are similar to authentic checks. However, the following statement is embedded in the top border of the counterfeit items: "THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS DOCUMENT INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK – HOLD AT AN ANGLE TO VIEW." A padlock symbol and list of security features are printed in a box on the bottom of the reverse side of the counterfeit item.

Authentic checks are light blue with white margins. The following statement is embedded in the top border of the checks: "SECURITY WARNING: THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT FEATURES A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINT BORDERS – THE REVERSE SIDE FEATURES ARTIFICIAL WATERMARKS." The reverse side of authentic checks bears the following statement at the bottom: "THIS DOCUMENT IS PROTECTED BY ARTIFICIAL WATERMARKS. HOLD AT AN ANGLE TO VIEW."

Copies 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:

Contact Center
Irwin Union Bank
500 Washington Street
Columbus, Indiana 47201
Phone: (888) 879-5900
Fax: (812) 376-1644

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