Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Oshkosh Bank, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, are reportedly in circulation

The American National Bank of Beaver Dam, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing its branch location name, Oshkosh Bank, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a sweepstakes and lottery scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 075901516, which is assigned to The American National Bank of Beaver Dam. The items are similar to authentic cashier's checks; however, they display the following security feature statement embedded within the top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK ù HOLD AT AN ANGLE TO VIEW." Also, a statement and "U.S. Patent" number are printed below the signature lines in the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks have an ornate border and are blue. The following security feature statement is displayed along the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, WATERMARK AND A THERMOCHROMIC ICON; ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." A sailboat logo is to the right of the bank's name in the top-center area. Also, "A BRANCH OF THE AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK" appears just below the bank's name, city and state in the top center. A padlock icon and the statements "Security features included. Details on the back" are printed on the right 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:

Mark Heuer
Security Officer
The American National Bank of Beaver Dam
115 Front Street
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 53916
Telephone: (920) 885-2705
Fax: (920) 885-2709
E-mail: mheuer@anbnet.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