Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Treasure State Bank, Missoula, Montana, are reportedly in circulation

Treasure State Bank, Missoula, Montana, 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 secret shopper scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 092905508, which is assigned to Treasure State Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display a security feature statement embedded within a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The bank's logo, name, city and state and a toll-free telephone number ("1-866-471-8238"), which is not associated with the bank, are in the top center. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and a "NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS" regarding an indemnity bond statement appear in the lower-left corner. The words "Signing Officer" are below the signature line. The counterfeit items display a rectangular box containing the numeric dollar amount.

Authentic checks have wide-band top and bottom borders and a padlock icon between vertical security feature statements in the right border. The bank's name, logo, Web address and telephone number, which is (406) 543-8700, are in the top-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are near the top-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:

Anne Robinson
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Treasure State Bank
P.O. Box 16170
Missoula, Montana 59808
Telephone: (406) 543-8700
Fax: (406) 543-4477
E-mail: arobinson@treasurestatebank.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