Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Archer Bank, Chicago, Illinois, are reportedly in circulation

Archer Bank, Chicago, Illinois, 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 071004530, which is assigned to Archer Bank, and are similar to authentic checks. However, the counterfeit items are blue with rounded borders and include the following statement embedded within the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." Additionally, a logo appears to the left of the bank name in the upper-left corner of the counterfeit items.

Authentic checks are green with squared borders on all sides. Authentic checks do not include a security statement on the face of the document.

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

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

Megan Pavlinek
Fraud Prevention Coordinator
Archer Bank
4970 South Archer
Chicago, Illinois 60632
Telephone: (773) 884-4349
Fax: (773) 838-4497
Email: mpavlinek@archerbank.com

-or-

Jennifer Brent
Operations Assistant
Telephone: (773) 838-4346
Email: jbrent@archerbank.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. Thompson
Acting Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection