Counterfeit official checks bearing the name Union State Bank, Arkansas, Kansas, are reportedly in circulation

The Union State Bank, Arkansas City, Kansas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The Union State Bank does not issue official checks; however, it does issue cashier's checks.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 101100993, which is assigned to The Union State Bank. The counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and have blue ornate borders on the top and sides. A rectangle containing the words "UNION STATE BANK OFFICIAL CHECK" is incorporated into the center of the top border. An unassociated logo (the initials "USB" linked together), the bank's name and "ARKANSAS, KS 67005" are displayed in the top-left corner. The words "ISSUED BY," the bank's name and "ARKANSAS, KS 67005" are shown in the lower-left corner. The words "US FUNDS" are shown in the bottom of a rectangle containing the numeric dollar amount. The bank's name is repeated as "DRAWER" above two signature lines.

Authentic cashier's checks have ornate borders on all sides. They display the following security feature statement below the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, WATERMARK AND A SECURITY SCREEN; ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are centered below the security feature statement. The bank's logo (a bridge), name, telephone number, Web site and three branch locations appear in the lower-left corner. A padlock icon and security feature statement appear to the right of "DOLLARS" on the right side.

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:

Shannon L. Capps
Senior Vice President of Operations
The Union State Bank
P.O. Box 928
Arkansas City, Kansas 67005
Telephone: (620) 741-3006
Fax: (620) 442-9399
E-mail: Shannonc@myunionstate.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