Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Independent Bank, McKinney, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

Independent Bank, McKinney, 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 111916326, which is assigned to Independent Bank. The items are similar to authentic cashier's checks; however, the counterfeit items display a toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, beneath the bank's name and logo in the top-left corner. A statement with three lines that are left-justified appears in the lower-left corner. Also, a padlock is shown to the right of the bottom signature line.

Authentic checks bear a statement with three lines that are center-justified 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:

Julie Crump
Senior Vice President and Security
Independent Bank
3090 Craig Drive
McKinney, Texas 75070
Telephone: (972) 562-3426
Fax: (972) 562-3815
E-mail: jcrump@independent-bank.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. ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection