Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Federated Bank, NA, are reportedly in circulation

Federated Bank, Onarga, Illinois, 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 071107783, which is assigned to Federated Bank. The counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and do not display an official check designation. The bank's logo (initials "F" and "B") and name are displayed in the top-left corner. The words "FEDERATED BANK, N.A." and "federatedbank.com" appear in the top center area. The date and amount are both contained inside boxes on the right side. The items also display a computer-generated signature.

Authentic checks have ornate borders and display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the lower-left corner. The bank's logo ("F" and "B" initials) and name are displayed in the top center area. A padlock icon and vertical security feature statement are embedded in the right border. A rectangle contains the numerical dollar amount on the right side. The phrase "VOID AFTER 90 DAYS" appears above two signature lines.

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:

Terry Reutter
Federated Bank
P.O. Box B
Onarga, Illinois 60955
Telephone: (815) 268-7676
Fax: (815) 268-7229
E-mail: treutter@federatedbank.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/2008/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
DirectorDivision of Supervision and Consumer Protection