Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Pelham Bank, Pelham, Georgia, are reportedly in circulation

Pelham Banking Company, Pelham, Georgia, 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 061202889, which is assigned to Pelham Banking Company. The counterfeit items, which are dissimilar to authentic checks, are blue and display "PELHAM BANK," the bank's address, and a telephone number, not associated with the bank, in the upper-left corner. They also have the following statement embedded within the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." Centered at the top of the counterfeit items are the words "CASHIER'S CHECK."

Authentic checks are green and include the bank's name and logo centered at the top. Authentic checks have the following security statement displayed below the amount line: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICROPRINT SIGNATURE LINE, WATERMARK AND THERMOCHROMIC ICON. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." Additionally, authentic checks display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the lower-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:

G. Duane Bentley
Vice President
Pelham Bank
P.O. Box 512
180 Mathewson Avenue
Pelham, Georgia 31779
Telephone: (229) 294-2341
Fax: (229) 294-2549
E-mail: gduanebentley@pelhambank.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
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection