Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Bank of Commerce, Amarillo, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

Bank of Commerce, McLean, 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 counterfeit items display the routing number 111308442, which is assigned to Bank of Commerce. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items are light blue with dark blue borders. They display a security feature statement embedded in the top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top center. "Amarillo, Texas" and a telephone number ("1-866-469- 8706"), which is not associated with the bank, appear to the right of the bank's logo and name in the top-left corner. The signature line is preceded by "PER" and "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" is shown below. "RE" is printed in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks are green with a basket-weave background. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are printed in the lower-left corner below a "NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS" regarding an indemnity bond. The bank's name and "McLean, Texas 79057" are in the top center.

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:

David Huseman
Information Technology Manager
Bank of Commerce
800 South Monroe Street
Amarillo, Texas 79101
Telephone: (806) 322-1422
Fax: (806) 322-1423
E-mail: david@tbp.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