Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Border State Bank, are reportedly in circulation

Border State Bank, Greenbush, Minnesota, 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 correspondence from the ASTEC LOTTO COMMISSION INC., Virgin Islands, regarding an award claim.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 091216133, which is assigned to Border State Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display the following security statements embedded within the top border: "THE FACE OF THIS CHECK IS PRINTED BLUE—THE BACK CONTAINS A SIMULATED WATERMARK." Also displayed are a box for the numerical dollar amount on the right side of the item and a security padlock at the end of the signature line above the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks display a security statement beneath the written dollar amount. "BOOKKEEPING DEPARTMENT" and a telephone number are displayed in the upper-left corner. "CASHIER'S CHECK" appears in the lower-left corner directly above a "MEMO" line. A security padlock is displayed at the end of the written "DOLLARS" line.

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:

Sharla Kilen
Bookkeeping Department Supervisor
Border State Bank
P.O. Box 69
Badger, Minnesota 56714
Telephone: (218) 528-4255
Fax: (218) 528-3688
E-mail: sharla.kilen@borderstatebank.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