Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Muenster State Bank, Gainesville, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

Muenster State Bank, Muenster, 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 Canadian lottery scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 111920684, which is assigned to Muenster State Bank, and are similar to authentic cashier's checks. However, the counterfeit items display a security feature statement within the top and bottom borders and are blue. The counterfeit items also display an incorrect highway number ("32") and a toll-free telephone number ("1-877- 643-0660"), which is not associated with the bank, in the top center. The statement that appears below the written dollar amount line contains a typographical error. The word "MICRO" in the statement "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO PRINT SIGNATURE..." is shown as "MACRO."

Authentic checks have ornate borders and are yellow. The correct highway number ("82") and the bank's telephone number ("(940) 665-7903") and fax number ("(940) 665-7903") are displayed in the top center. A security padlock icon is displayed to the right of the word "DOLLARS" at the end of the written dollar amount line.

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:

Kevin Sebade
Security Officer and Senior Vice President
Muenster State Bank
P.O. Box 100
Muenster, Texas 76252
Telephone: (940) 759-2257
Fax: (940) 759-2243
E-mail: msb@msbtx.com

Alternate Contact:

Jeannene Walterscheid
Vice President and Compliance Officer
Muenster State Bank
P.O. Box 100
Muenster, Texas 76252
Telephone: (940) 759-2257
Fax: (940) 759-2243
E-mail: msb@msbtx.com

To report this scam or any other scam based in or mailed from Canada, please contact Phonebusters, which is a joint partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Phonebusters is interested in receiving copies of scam letters, particularly those involving Canadian mailing addresses or telephone numbers. Records relating to the payment of advance fees should also be forwarded to Phonebusters. This information is used to assist in the strategic targeting of would-be fraudsters. Scam letters should be forwarded to the Phonebusters National Call Center (PNCC) as follows:

Mail: Box 686
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
P1B 8J8Web site: www.phonebusters.comTelephone: +1 (888) 495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)Fax: +1 (888) 654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)E-mail: info@phonebusters.comAdvance fee fraud (including Nigerian and lottery letters): wafl@phonebusters.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