Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name The Bank of Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois, are reportedly in circulation

The Bank of Edwardsville, Edwardsville, 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 096016765, which is a payable-through account at U.S. Bank, St. Paul, Minnesota. The Bank of Edwardsville issues checks through an account at U.S. Bank. The counterfeit items are similar to authentic cashier's checks, but display a "VOID" background when copied. "Cashier's Check" (with an apostrophe) is printed in the upper-right corner and a security statement is embedded within the top border. A padlock symbol is displayed in the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks are light burgundy in color and have security statements embedded within both the top and bottom borders. "Cashiers Check" (without an apostrophe) is printed in the upper-right 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:

Carlota Cowan
Fraud Prevention Officer
The Bank of Edwardsville
317 West Park Center
Edwardsville, Illinois 62025
Telephone: (618) 659-6434
Fax: (618) 659-4402
E-Mail: ccowan@4thebank.com

Alternate Contact:

Cindy Ray
Security and Fraud Administrator
Telephone: (618) 659-4430
Fax: (618) 659-4402
E-mail: cray@4thebank.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