Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name PBI Bank are reportedly in circulation

PBI Bank, Louisville, Kentucky, 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 reportedly associated with a lottery/sweepstakes scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 022000868, which is assigned to Citibank, N.A., Buffalo, New York. PBI Bank issues official checks through an Integrated Payment Systems, Inc., account at Citibank, N.A. The counterfeit items also display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" inside of a rectangle with rounded corners in the top center. The following security statement is embedded within the top border: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES THE FACE OF THE DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." The following security statements are displayed between two padlock symbols above the bottom border: "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK."

PBI Bank issues official checks that display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" inside of a rectangle with rounded corners in the top center. Printed on both sides of the rectangle is the following security statement: "HOLD DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK." The official checks have a woven-patterned background and a scroll pattern in the top and side borders. A security padlock symbol appears in the lower-right corner directly below the word "DOLLARS."

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:

Kenneth Kidd
Deposit Compliance Officer
PBI Bank
P.O. Box 669
Munfordville, Kentucky 42765
Telephone: (270) 524-7283
Fax: (270) 524-5629
E-mail: kkidd@pbibank.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. Questions 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/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