Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name First Lowndes Bank, Fort Deposit, Alabama, are reportedly in circulation

First Lowndes Bank, Fort Deposit, Alabama, 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 062103482, which is assigned to First Lowndes Bank, and are similar to authentic cashier's checks except that they display a vertical security padlock icon and statement along the right side. The numerical dollar amount is printed inside a rectangle displayed on the right side.

Authentic checks display ornate borders with a security padlock icon and statement embedded in the top-left corner.

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:

Nolan Heartsill
Vice President and Operations Manager
First Lowndes Bank
P.O. Box 508
Fort Deposit, Alabama 36032
Telephone: (334) 227-8301
Fax: (334) 227-9987
E-mail: nheartsill@firstlowndesbank.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