Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Commercial State Bank of Waterloo, Waterloo, Illinois, are reportedly in circulation

Commercial State Bank of Waterloo, Waterloo, Illinois, 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 081006382, which is assigned to Commercial State Bank of Waterloo. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and display a security statement embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top-left corner. An elongated rectangle is shown in the middle portion containing the written dollar amount and two shaded boxes with the initials "CSB" in the top-right and lower-left corners. A "NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS" and an indemnity bond statement are in the lower-left corner. A toll-free telephone number ("1.888.811.1028") that is not associated with the bank is below the bank's name and location in the top-center area. Two signature lines preceded by the word "PER" are in the lower- right corner, with "Authorized Signature" below the first line and "Countersigned" below the second line. The words "DATE" and "RE" also appear on the right side of counterfeit items.

Authentic cashier's checks are yellow in color with an interlocking diamond background and ornate borders. A padlock and vertical security statement appear within the right border. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are in the lower-left corner and the statement "THIS CHECK NOT VALID IN EXCESS OF $5000 WITHOUT SIGNATURES OF 2 OFFICERS" is shown above two signature lines in the lower-right corner. A rectangle contains the numeric dollar amount on the right side. The word "REMITTER" is 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:

Sandy Foster
Vice President of Retail Banking
Commercial State Bank of Waterloo
P.O. Box 100
Waterloo, Illinois 62298
Telephone: (618) 939-8666
Fax: (618) 939-4440
E-mail: sfoster@csbwaterloo.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