Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Bank of Dudley, Dudley, Georgia, are reportedly in circulation

Bank of Dudley, Dudley, Georgia, 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 shopping scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 061205938, which is assigned to Bank of Dudley. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. Counterfeit items display a security statement embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and an indemnity bond statement appear in the top-center area. The bank's logo and name (twice), and the phrases "Payable Through Bank of Dudley, Dublin, GA" and "For Inquires call 1-866-322-3899," appear in the top-left corner. (Note: The telephone number shown is not associated with the bank.) Two signature lines are shown in the lower-right corner. The words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" appear below the first signature line and the word "COUNTERSIGNED" is below the second signature line. The word "REMITTER" is shown in the lower-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks have ornate borders and one signature line. They display the following security statement below the written dollar-amount line: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, WATERMARK AND A THERMOCHROMIC ICON; ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appears below in the lower- left corner. The bank's logo, name, branch locations ("DUDLEY – DUBLIN – EAST DUBLIN"), state and Web site appear in the top-center area. A padlock icon and security statement appear on the right side of "DOLLARS." The word "REMITTER" is shown in the top-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:

Lori Cherry
Operations Officer
Bank of Dudley
200 West Jackson Street
Dublin, Georgia 31021
Telephone: (478) 277-1500
Fax: (478) 277-1983
E-mail: lcherry@bankofdudley.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