Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Citizens Bank of Batesville, Batesville, Arkansas, are reportedly in circulation

The Citizens Bank, Batesville, Arkansas, 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 096016765, which is assigned to U.S. Bank, St. Paul, Minnesota. The Citizens Bank issues cashier's checks through a payable through account at U.S. Bank. The counterfeit items are very similar to authentic cashier's checks; however, the following security feature statement is embedded within a darkened top border: "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND ON WHITE PAPER AND ORIGINAL DOCUMENT SECURITY SCREEN ON BACK WITH PADLOCK SECURITY ICON." Vertically displayed in the right border is a security padlock icon and a security feature statement. The bottom border contains the following Web site address in blue print: "www.LaserPrinterChecks.com."

Authentic cashier's checks display the following security feature statements below the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY."

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:

Tammy Poole
Senior Vice President
The Citizens Bank
P.O. Box 2156
Batesville, Arkansas 72503-2156
Telephone: (870) 698-6205
E-mail: tammyp@thecitizensbank.net

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