Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name The Farmers State Bank, New Paris, Ohio, are reportedly in circulation

The Farmers State Bank, New Madison, Ohio, 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 042210722, which is assigned to The Farmers State Bank. The counterfeit items are similar to authentic cashier's checks; however, they display the words "ORIGINAL DOCUMENT" in a script font on the back. The counterfeit items also display a logo consisting of the letters "F," "S" and "B." The "F" is white on a black background, and the "S" and "B" are black on a white background.

Authentic cashier's checks display the words "ORIGINAL DOCUMENT" in block font on the back. They also display the bank's logo consisting of the letters "F," "S" and "B." The "F" is white on a black background, the "S" is white on a dotted background, and the "B" is black on a white background.

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:

Angie Wise
Vice President of Operations
The Farmers State Bank
P.O. Box 119
New Madison, Ohio 45346
Telephone: (937) 996-1071
Fax: (937) 996-1091
E-mail: awise@thefarmersstatebank.com

Alternate Contact:

Chevone Singer
Compliance Officer
The Farmers State Bank
P.O. Box 119
New Madison, Ohio 45346
Telephone: (937) 996-1071
Fax: (937) 996-1091
E-mail: csinger@thefarmersstatebank.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