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

Herring Bank, Amarillo, 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 111302846, which is assigned to Herring Bank. The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and display security feature statements embedded in the top and bottom borders. The bank's logo and name contained in a darkened rectangle are in the top-left corner next to the bank's name (repeated) and address. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and an indemnity bond statement are in the lower-left corner. There is one signature line above the words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" in the lower-right corner.

Authentic cashier's checks have ornate borders and two signature lines in the lower-right corner. The word "REMITTER" is in the top-left corner. The bank's logo, name, city and state are printed in the top-center area. The words "Cashier's Check" are inside a double-bordered rectangle in the lower-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:

Joe Cowden
Operations Assistant
Herring Bank
2201 Civic Circle
Amarillo, Texas 79109
Telephone: (806) 677-7000, extension 551
Fax: (806) 354-2736
E-mail: jcowden@herringbank.com

Alternate Contact:

Matthew Smith
Operations Assistant
Herring Bank
2201 Civic Circle
Amarillo, Texas 79109
Telephone: (806) 677-7000, extension 201
Fax: (806) 354-2736
E-mail: msmith@herringbank.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