Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Peoples Bank, Graceville, Florida, are reportedly in circulation

Peoples Bank of Graceville, Graceville, Florida, 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 display the routing number 063209660, which is assigned to Peoples Bank of Graceville. The counterfeit items are similar to authentic checks, but include the following security statement within the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." The counterfeit items include the bank's name and mailing address adjacent to a logo in the top-left corner. In the bottom-left corner, the word "REMITTER" is displayed.

Authentic cashier's checks include a local telephone number in addition to the bank's logo, name and mailing address in the top-left corner. A line is printed directly above the word "REMITTER" in the bottom-left 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:

Carole Smith
Executive Vice President
Peoples Bank of Graceville
P.O. Box 596
Graceville, Florida 32440
Telephone: (850) 263-3267
Fax: (850) 263-7597
E-mail: carolsmith@peoplesgraceville.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