Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name The Bank of Elk River, Elk River, Minnesota, are reportedly in circulation

The Bank of Elk River, Elk River, Minnesota, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The items are reportedly associated with a mystery shopper scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 091903831, which is assigned to The Bank of Elk River. The items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" is shown above an indemnity bond statement in the top center area. The bank's logo (striped box icon) and name (contained inside a darkened rectangle) appear in the top-left corner along with the bank's name (repeated), "Payable at The Bank of Elk River, Elk River, MN" and ("For inquiries call 1-888-262-0398"). The items have two signature lines with "Authorized Officer" printed below the first line and "Countersigned" below the second line. The word "REMITTER" is in the lower-left corner and "Operator I.D." is in the upper-right corner.

Authentic checks display the bank's logo, name, slogan ("Family owned since 1885") and "Member FDIC" in the top-left corner along with the bank's telephone number ("(763) 441-1000"), and location. A "NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS" and a declaration of loss statement are printed above the phrase "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED IF OVER $5, 000" and two signature lines in the lower-right corner. The word "REMITTER" is in the top-left 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:

Cheryl S. Johnson
Assistant Vice President of Security & Loss Prevention
The Bank of Elk River
630 Main Street
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
Telephone: (763) 241-8505
Fax: (763) 441-0847
E-mail: cjohnson@thebankofelkriver.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