Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Jourdanton State Bank, Jourdanton, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

Jourdanton State Bank, Jourdanton, Texas, 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 114921981, which is assigned to Jourdanton State Bank. The counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. They display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlock icons. The bank's logo, name and the statements "PAYABLE THROUGH JOURDANTON STATE BANK, JOURDANTON, TX" and "FOR INQUIRES CALL 1-877-446- 3108" (a telephone number that is not associated with the bank) are shown in the top-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and an indemnity bond statement appear in the top-center area. The counterfeit items have two signature lines with "AUTHORIZED OFFICER" printed below the first line and "COUNTERSIGNED" printed below the second line. The word "REMITTER" appears in the lower-left corner and the words "Operator I.D." are in the top-right corner.

Authentic cashier's checks display an indemnity bond statement and the word "REMITTER" in the top-left corner. The bank's logo, name and four branch locations, including each branch name, address, telephone number and fax number, are displayed from the top center to the top-right corner. The words "TELLER'S INITIALS" and "Cashier's Check" are in the lower-left corner. The numerical dollar amount is shown in a rectangle on the right side with a security padlock icon below. "AMOUNT IN EXCESS OF $25,000 REQUIRES TWO SIGNATURES" is printed above two signature lines and "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" is printed below the signature second line.

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:

Shauna L. Garza
Assistant Vice President
Jourdanton State Bank
P.O. Box 459
1305 Highway 97, East
Jourdanton, Texas 78026
Telephone: (830) 769-3557, extension 2025
Fax: (830) 767-3200
E-mail: shaunag@jsbbank.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