Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name FHLB Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa, are reportedly in circulation

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa, 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 associated with a sweepstakes scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 263179914, which is assigned to Country Federal Credit Union, Maclenny, Florida. Federal Home Loan Banks have business relationships with financial institutions, but do not issue checks to the public. The counterfeit items display the bank's name as "FHLB Des Moines" in the top-left corner. They have a "NOTICE TO MEMBERS" regarding an indemnity bond in the top center. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the center area. The word "REMITTER" appears in the lower-left corner. "VOID AFTER 90 DAYS" and "NOT VALID OVER $10,000.00" appear in the lower-center portion. A box is shown on the right for the numerical dollar amount and the words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" are printed below a signature line.

Authentic checks display bank's name, "Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines," in the top-left corner. They are not designated as "cashier's checks" and display the routing number 073000914, which is assigned to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines.

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:

Nichola K. Schissel
Vice President – Communications and Administration
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
Skywalk Level
801 Walnut Street, Suite 200
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3513
Telephone: (800) 544-3452, extension 1124 or, (515) 281-1124
Fax: (515) 281-1022
E-mail: nschissel@fhlbdm.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