Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Bank of Astoria, Astoria, Oregon, are reportedly in circulation

Bank of Astoria, Astoria, Oregon, 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 are reportedly associated with a mystery shopper scam and a consumer prize reward scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 123202280, which is assigned to Bank of Astoria, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display rounded corners and a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. An unassociated slogan, the bank's logo, name (repeated) and "P.O. BOX 28, ASTORIA, OR 97103-0028" appear in the top-left corner. An indemnity bond statement is centered below the words “CASHIER'S CHECK” in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks have square corners and display a padlock icon and security statement to the right of "DOLLARS." The bank's logo, name and "122 Duane, Astoria, Oregon 97103" appear in the top center. "REMITTER" is printed 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:

Sue Piaskoski
Vice President and Regional Operations Manager
Bank of Astoria
1122 Duane Street
P.O. Box 28
Astoria, Oregon 97103
Telephone: (503) 298-2002
Fax: (503) 298-2102
E-mail: spiaskoski@bankofastoria.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
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection