Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Advantage Bank, Loveland, Colorado, are reportedly in circulation

Advantage Bank, Loveland, Colorado, 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 Customer" employment scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 107006787, which is assigned to Advantage Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display the following security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." The statement "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK" is centered along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and an indemnity bond statement are in the top center. The bank's logo and name appear in the top-left corner. The bank's name is repeated along with "Payable Through Advantage Bank, Loveland, Colorado" and "For Inquires Call (800) 963-2585" in the top-left corner. Note that the telephone number is not associated with the bank. The word "REMITTER" appears in the lower-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks are gray with a small black-speckled background. A foil accent band appears across the top, and a padlock icon and a vertical security statement are shown along the right side. The following security feature statement is centered below the written dollar amount line: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND, FOIL ACCENT AND A BACKSIDE AUTHENTIC WATERMARK; ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the lower-left corner. The bank's logo, name, address and telephone number, "(970) 613-1982," and the words "step out of line" are in the top-center area. The statement "VOID AFTER 6 MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE" appears in the top-left corner, and "REMITTER" appears below the statement. "2 SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $25,000.00" appears above two signature lines 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:

Arlona Dietz
Vice President and Deposit Operations Manager
Advantage Bank
1475 North Denver Avenue
Loveland, Colorado 80538
Telephone: (970) 622-7142
Fax: (970) 593-1193
E-mail: Adietz@advantagebanks.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