Counterfeit checks bearing the name Lake Area Bank, Lindstrom, Minnesota, are reportedly in circulation

Lake Area Bank, Lindstrom, Minnesota, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 091912521, which is assigned to Lake Area Bank. The items are dissimilar to the authentic checks and display the bank's name, address and a telephone number, not associated with the bank, in the upper-left corner. The counterfeit items are printed on marbled green paper and have security feature descriptions embedded in the top and bottom borders.

Authentic checks display the bank's logo, name and slogan in the top-left corner, and the bank's address at the top center. Authentic checks are blue, and the words "EXPENSE CHECK" or "INTEREST CHECK" appear above the signature line on the lower-right side.

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:

Chad Lindgren
Security Officer
Lake Area Bank
P.O. Box 743
Lindstrom, Minnesota 55045
Phone Number: (651) 464-9001
Fax Number: (651) 464-9006
E-mail: clindgren@lakeareabank.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/2007/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