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

Commercial Bank, Alma, Michigan, 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 nationwide lottery scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 092005411, which is assigned to First Interstate Bank, Helena, Montana. Commercial Bank issues cashier's checks through an account at First Interstate Bank. The counterfeit items are similar to authentic checks; however, a padlock symbol is printed to the right of the authorized signature line in the lower-right corner of the counterfeit items.

Authentic checks display security feature descriptions below the "PAY TO THE ORDER OF" line. A solid border line is printed across the top.

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:

Heather A. Lamentola
Commercial Bank
Branch Administrator, Compliance & Security Officer
301 North State Street
Alma, Michigan 48801
Telephone: (989) 875-5517
Fax: (989) 875-5517
E-mail: lamentol@commercial-bank.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