Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Mid-American Bank and Mid-America, Baldwin City, Kansas, are reportedly in circulation

Mid-America Bank, Baldwin City, Kansas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The items are reportedly associated with a sweepstakes scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 263179914, which is assigned to Country Federal Credit Union, and are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display a "NOTICE TO MEMBERS" regarding an indemnity bond and the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top center. The bank's logo, an incorrect name ("Mid-American Bank"), street address, and P.O. Box appear in the top-left corner. The statements "VOID AFTER 90 DAYS" and "NOT VALID OVER $10,000.00" are printed to the left of the signature line.

Authentic cashier's checks display the routing number 101114934, which is assigned to Mid-America Bank. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and the statement "VOID AFTER 180 DAYS" are displayed in the lower-left corner. The bank's logo, name and address are in the top center. The following security feature statement appears below the written dollar amount line: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, AUTHENTIC WATERMARK, AND CHLOROSTAIN PAPER; ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." The statement "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED" is printed above the 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:

Renae Cowley
Cashier, Operations
Mid-America Bank
802 Ames Street
Baldwin City, Kansas 66006
Telephone: (785) 594-2100
Fax: (785) 594-7099
E-mail: rcowley@mid-americanbank.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