Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Zavala County Bank, Crystal City, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

Zavala County Bank, Crystal City, Texas, 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 secret shopper scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 114910222, which is assigned to Zavala County Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic bank money orders. The items are salmon in color and display "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-center portion. The bank's name and address, including a former street address of "401 W Zavala," appear in the lower-left corner. The word "DRAWER" and the bank's name are printed above the authorized signature line in the lower-right corner.

Zavala County Bank, Crystal City, Texas, does not issue cashier's checks. However, the bank issues bank money orders that have a blue background and ornate scroll borders.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic bank money order (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:

Deborah G. Bradshaw
Assistant Cashier
Zavala County Bank
2300 Highway 83 North
Crystal City, Texas 78839
Telephone: (830) 374-5866
Fax: (830) 374-22256
E-mail: dgbradshaw@zcbank.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