Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name The Heritage Bank, Jesup, Georgia, are reportedly in circulation

The Heritage Bank, Hinesville, Georgia, 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 061207839, which is assigned to The Heritage Bank. The items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and display the security feature statement "THIS CHEQUE IS VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATER ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW" embedded in the top border. Two right-pointing arrows point toward a rectangle containing the numerical dollar amount on the right side.

Authentic cashier's checks gradually change from light blue to green. The security feature statement "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A BLUE AND GREEN BACKGROUND AND AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW" is embedded within a darkened top border. Three right-pointing arrows point toward a rectangle containing the numerical dollar amount on the right side.

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:

Jason R. Floyd
First Vice President and Security Officer
The Heritage Bank
P.O. Box 1009
Hinesville, Georgia 31310
Telephone: (912) 408-6144
Fax: (912) 369-9397
E-mail: Jfloyd@the-heritage-bank.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