Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Western Bank, Silver City, New Mexico, are reportedly in circulation

Western Bank, Lordsburg, New Mexico, 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 112200824, which is assigned to Western Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items have ornate borders on three sides and display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" inside a rectangle with rounded corners centered within the top border. The following security statement appears below the top border on each side of the rectangle: "HOLD THIS DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK." The bank's name and address appear in the top-left corner. The word "REMITTER" appears in the lower-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks are light green and have dark green top and bottom borders. The following security feature statement is embedded within the top border: "THE FACE OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND ON WHITE PAPER." A thumb area with "RUB RED IMAGE" printed above and "FADES WITH HEAT" printed below is centered above the statements "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK" centered in the bottom border. A padlock icon appears on each side of the statement. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are displayed in the lower-left corner. The bank's name, address, and telephone number ("(505) 388-3521") appear in the top-center portion of authentic cashier's checks.

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:

Linda Nichols
Assistant Vice President
Western Bank
330 Highway 180 West
P.O. Box 2024
Silver City, New Mexico 88061
Telephone: (505) 388-3521
Fax: (505) 388-0800
E-mail: lnichols@bootheelbank.com

Alternate Contacts:

Kim Garrison
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Western Bank
140 East Motel Drive
P.O. Box 490
Lordsburg, New Mexico 88045
Telephone: (505) 542-3521
Fax: (505) 542-9247
E-mail: kgarrison@bootheelbank.com

Randi Ybarra
Cashier
Western Bank
140 East Motel Drive
P.O. Box 490
Lordsburg, New Mexico 88045
Telephone: (505) 542-3521
Fax: (505) 542-9247
E-mail: rybarra@bootheelbank.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