Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Yoakum National Bank, Yoakum, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

The Yoakum National Bank, Yoakum, 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 114902227, which is assigned to The Yoakum National Bank, and are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top center. The bank's name, address and a telephone number ("1-866- 228-7063"), which that is not associated with the bank, appear in the top-left corner. The bank's name is repeated in the signature area above the words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE." No preprinted lines are displayed on the counterfeit items.

Authentic checks display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the lower-left corner. The bank's logo (an hour-glass icon) and name appear in the top-left corner. A "NOTICE TO CUSTOMER" regarding an indemnity bond is printed in the top-right corner. The words "VICE PRESIDENT ASST CASHIER" appear below the signature line in the lower-right 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:

Judy Grubert
Assistant Vice President
The Yoakum National Bank
P.O. Box 777
301 West Grand
Yoakum, Texas 77995
Telephone: (361) 293-5225, extension 250
Fax: (361) 293-7322
E-mail: jgrubert@yoakumnationalbank.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