Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Lone Star Bank, Houston, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

Lone Star Bank, Houston, 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 display the routing number 113025299, which is assigned to Lone Star Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display security feature statements within the top and bottom borders. The bank's logo, name (repeated twice), city, state and a toll-free telephone number ("1.888.461.6614"), not associated with the bank, appear in the top-left corner. The bank's name is repeated as "DRAWER" below the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-right corner and below the printed dollar amount line. Two signature lines are preceded by "PER" on the lower-right side. The phrases "NAME OF PAYEE" and "REMITTER" appear on the left side.

Authentic checks display the bank's logo and name in the top center. An indemnity bond statement and "REMITTER" and "PAY TO THE ORDER OF" are printed on the left side. A security feature description is printed vertically within the right border. The statement "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $5,000.00" is displayed below two signature lines.

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:

Kathy Stuckey
Vice President of Operations
Lone Star Bank
952 Echo Lane, Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77024
Telephone: (713) 358-9421
Fax: (713) 358-9478
E-mail: kstuckey@lsbtexas.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