Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Douglas County Bank, Lawrence, Kansas, are reportedly in circulation

Douglas County Bank, Lawrence, 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 counterfeit items display the routing number 101114646, which is assigned to Douglas County Bank. Douglas County Bank does not issue cashier's checks; instead, the bank issues official checks. The counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic official checks.

The counterfeit items have ornate borders. They also display security statements in the top and bottom borders and a padlock icon in the right border. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear below the bank's logo and name in the top-left corner. The items have two signature lines and the word "REMITTER" is shown in the bottom-left corner.

Douglas County Bank issues two versions of authentic official checks:

Version 1: Some authentic checks display the routing number 101114646, which is assigned to Douglas County Bank. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are shown in the top center. The bank's logo, name, address and telephone number appear in the top-left corner. The bank name is repeated above one signature line.

Version 2: Some authentic checks display the routing number 102000979, which is assigned to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Denver, Colorado. Douglas County Bank issues some official checks through an Integrated Payment System Inc. account held at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. These checks have ornate borders on the top and sides and display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" inside a rectangle with rounded corners centered within the top border. The security statement "HOLD DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK" is shown on both sides of the rectangle. The bank name appears as "DRAWER" above one signature line. A security padlock icon and statement are in the lower-right 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:

Adrienne Boyd-Akers
Financial Service Representative
Douglas County Bank
300 West 9th Street
Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Telephone: (785) 865-1063
Fax: (785) 865-1078
E-mail: aboyd-akers@douglascountybank.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