Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Bank of Hays, Hays, Kansas, are reportedly in circulation

Bank of Hays, Hays, Kansas (a branch of The Hanston State Bank, Hanston, Kansas), 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 101108571, which is assigned to The Hanston State Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items have a marbled background. The security feature statement "SECURITY WARNING: THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT FEATURES A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINT BORDERS – THE REVERSE SIDE FEATURES ARTIFICIAL WATERMARKS" is embedded in a darkened top border. The word "Hanston" is misspelled in "A branch of Hanson State Bank" below the bank's name in the top-center area.

Authentic checks have beaded borders with ornate corners. The security feature statement "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, WATERMARK AND OTHER FEATURES; ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY" is centered below the written dollar amount 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:

Darla Braun
Vice President
Bank of Hays
1000 West 27th
Hays, Kansas 67601
Telephone: (785) 621-2473
Fax: (785) 621-2471
E-mail: dbraun@bankofhays.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