Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name First Community Bank, Winston- Salem, North Carolina, are reportedly in circulation

First Community Bank, N.A., Bluefield, Virginia, 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 053000196, which is not assigned to First Community Bank. The items include the bank's name and a Winston-Salem address in the top- left corner. "CASHIER'S CHECK" is centered below the top border.

Authentic checks are printed on blue check stock and display the bank's logo, name and slogan in the top-left corner. "OFFICIAL CHECK" is embedded in a rectangular box within the top border. The top and side borders have an ornate scroll design. Security feature descriptions are printed directly below the top border. A padlock security symbol appears on the right side. "Issued by Integrated Payment Systems, Inc., Englewood, Colorado" and "Wells Fargo Bank Ltd., Los Angeles, California" are printed in the lower-left 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:

William E. Bane
Risk Management Director
First Community Bank, NA
29 College Drive
Bluefield, VA 24605
Phone: 304-323-6308
Fax: 304-323-6492
E-mail: webane@fcbinc.com

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other counterfeit 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