Counterfeit official checks bearing the name Truman Bank, Saint Louis, Missouri, are reportedly in circulation

Truman Bank, St. Louis, Missouri, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. Truman Bank does not issue official checks. However, the bank does issue cashier's checks.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 081006052, which is assigned to Truman Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display the bank's name and location in the top-left corner. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are inside of a rectangle with rounded corners in the top-center area. The security feature statement "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT IS PRINTED BLUE – THE BACK CONTAINS A SIMULATED WATERMARK" is displayed in a darkened top border. "NAME OF REMITTER" appears in the lower-left corner. The counterfeit items have a "VOID" background when copied and a padlock icon in the lower-right corner. The bank name (as "DRAWER"), branch locations ("Clayton, St. Louis, Missouri") and a telephone number ("1-866-253-1213"), which is not associated with the bank, are displayed below the "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" line.

Authentic cashier's checks display the routing number 096016765, which is assigned to US Bank, St. Paul, Minnesota. Truman Bank issues its cashier's checks through US Bank. Authentic checks have ornate borders on all sides with a yellowish-beige background. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are displayed in the lower-left corner. The statements "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY" appear below the top border. The bank's name, logo, and location are in the top center. A claim disclosure statement and the word "REMITTER" appear in the top-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:

Jeff Heutel
Senior Vice President of Risk Management
Truman Bank
8151 Clayton Road
Clayton, Missouri 63117
Telephone: (314) 383-5555, extension 4571
Fax: (314) 854-4771
E-mail: jheutel@trumanbank.com

Alternate Contact:

Lori St. Pierre
Senior Vice President of Operations
Truman Bank
7151 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63121
Telephone: (314) 383-5555, extension 1910
Fax: (314) 854-4723
E-mail: Lstpierre@trumanbank.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