Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Great Western Bank, Omaha, Nebraska, are reportedly in circulation

Great Western Bank, Watertown, South Dakota, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. In January 2007, Great Western Bank, located in Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Arizona and Kansas, merged under one charter with South Dakota as its headquarters.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 096016765, which is invalid, and are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-right corner and the following security feature statement is embedded within the top border: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." The statement "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK" is centered along the bottom border with a padlock icon printed on each side. "OMAHA, NEBRASKA 58104" is printed below the bank's logo and name in the top center. "Issued through Firstar Bank of Minnesota, N.A., St. Paul, Minnesota" is printed in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks display the routing number 092005411, which is assigned to First Interstate Bank, Helena, Montana. Great Western Bank issues cashier's checks through a payable- through-account at First Interstate Bank. "CASHIER'S CHECK" is displayed in the lower-left corner above "PAYABLE THROUGH FIRST INTERSTATE BANK, HELENA, MT." The following security feature description is centered along the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. ABSENCE OF THIS FEATURE WILL INDICATE A COPY." The phrases "Making Life Great" and "Member FDIC" are printed below the bank's logo and name in the top center. "REMITTER" and "COMMENTS" are displayed on the left side.

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:

Bob Orton
Vice President and Risk Manager
Great Western Bank
35 1st Avenue, N.E.,
Watertown, South Dakota
Telephone: (605) 373-3172
Fax: (605) 333-7882
E-mail: Robert.Orton@greatwesternbank.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