Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name First Sentry Bank, Huntington, West Virginia, are reportedly in circulation

First Sentry Bank, Inc., Huntington, West Virginia, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are being circulated with a mystery shopping scam letter.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 051502476, which is assigned to First Sentry Bank. The counterfeit items contain a security statement embedded in the top border. Also, the following is shown beneath the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-center portion of the item: "AN INDEMNITY AND/OR SURETY BOND MAY BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF THIS CHECK IF LOST OR DESTROYED." A toll-free telephone number that is not associated with the bank is displayed below the bank's name and address in the top-left corner. The counterfeit items display two signature lines.

Authentic cashier's checks display the bank's logo, name and mailing address in the top center. The checks display only one signature line.

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:

Tom Ellis
Security Officer
First Sentry Bank, Inc.
823 8th Street
Huntington, West Virginia 25701
Telephone: (304) 522-6400
Fax: (304) 522-6410
E-mail: tellis@firstsentry.com

Alternate Contact:

Mike Miller
Operations Officer
First Sentry Bank, Inc.
823 8th Street
Huntington, West Virginia 25701
Telephone: (304) 522-6400
Fax: (304) 522-6410
E-mail: mmiller@firstsentry.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