Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Butte State Bank, Butte, Nebraska, are reportedly in circulation

Butte State Bank, Butte, Nebraska, 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 104113550, which is assigned to Butte State Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and display a security statement in a top darkened border with rounded corners and along the bottom border between two padlock icons. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and an indemnity bond statement are in the top-center area. The bank's logo, name (twice), and the phrases "Payable Through Butte State Bank, Butte, NE" and "For Inquires call (866) 475- 8028" appear in the top-left corner. Note: The toll-free telephone number shown is not associated with the bank. Two signature lines are in the lower-right corner. The phrase "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" is shown below the first signature line and the word "COUNTERSIGNED" is shown below the second signature line. The word "REMITTER" appears in the lower-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks are light greenish-blue and have shaded top and bottom borders. The bank's logo, name and location are in the top center. Authentic checks display the following security statement below the payee line: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, SIMULATED WATERMARK, AND CHLOROSTAIN PAPER; ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." A table containing "DATE," "DISTRIBUTION," "PARTICULARS," AND "AMOUNT" headers is shown below the written dollar amount line. The statement "THIS CHECK IS DELIVERED FOR PAYMENT ON THE ACCOUNTS SHOWN ABOVE" is below the table. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the lower-right corner above two signature lines. A padlock icon and vertical security statement are on the right side. The word "REMITTER" appears 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:

Keith Honke
Security Officer
Butte State Bank
P.O. Box 266
Spencer, Nebraska 68777
Telephone: (402) 589-2271
Fax: (402) 589-2432
E-mail: keith.honke@buttebank.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