Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name First Security Bank, Bozeman, Montana, are reportedly in circulation

First Security Bank, Bozeman, Montana, 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 are associated with a sweepstakes scam involving Wagner Reid Investments & Trust Inc., London, United Kingdom, which claims to hold winnings from the International Sweepstakes, Ltd.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 092101289, which is assigned to First Security Bank Malta, Malta, Montana. Authentic checks display the routing number 092900613, which is assigned to First Security Bank, Bozeman, Montana.

The counterfeit items display a bank logo of a large dollar sign turned sideways in the top-left corner. The bank's address and a telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, appear beneath the logo. The FDIC logo and the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top-center portion. The counterfeit items include two signature lines.

Authentic cashier's checks display a logo of a dollar sign turned sideways centered at the top with the bank's location directly below the logo. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are displayed in the bottom- left portion and only one signature line is shown above the lower-right corner.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

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

Cheri Johnson
BSA/Security Officer
First Security Bank
208 East Main Street
Bozeman, Montana 59715
Telephone: (406) 585-3947
Fax: (406) 585-3839
E-mail: cherij@ourbank.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. Thompson
Acting Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection