Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Skagit State Bank, Burlington, Washington, are reportedly in circulation

Skagit State Bank, Burlington, Washington, 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 125105631, which is assigned to Skagit State Bank. The items also display an address ("30407 68th Ave NW · Stanwood, WA 98292") below the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-center portion. The following statements are embedded within the top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A GREEN & BLUE BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BANK · HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." The following statements are embedded within the bottom border: "ABSENCE OF PINK U.S. PATENT NUMBERS UNDER SIGNATURE INDICATES CHECK IS FRAUDULENT. PATENT NUMBERS ARE PRINTED WITH HEAT SENSITIVE INK & WILL DISAPPEAR WHEN BLOWING OR RUBBING." The counterfeit items also include the statement "VOID AFTER 90 DAYS" just below the right side of the written dollar amount line. Printed along the lower-right border is the statement: "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING."

Authentic checks display the names of eight towns where branches are located directly below the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-center portion. The following security statement is embedded within the top border: "FRONT OF DOCUMENT FEATURES COLORED BACKGROUND INSIDE THIS HIGH RESOLUTION BORDER AND A WHITE BAND OUTSIDE OF BORDER." The words "OFFICE" and "REMITTER" appear in the top-left corner. "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" is printed above the signature line in the lower-right corner of authentic checks.

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:

Nadine Springer
Assistant Vice President, Retail Operations Officer, Security Officer
Skagit State Bank
301 East Fairhaven Avenue
P.O. Box 285
Burlington, Washington 98233
Telephone: (360) 755-1510, extension 3177
Fax: (360) 755-9224
E-mail: nadines@skagitbank.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