Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name West End Savings Bank, Richmond, Indiana, are reportedly in circulation

Special Alerts

SA-119-2008
May 30, 2008

TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)SUBJECT: Counterfeit Cashier's Checks Summary: Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name West End Savings Bank, Richmond, Indiana, are reportedly in circulation.

West End Bank, S.B. (formerly known as West End Savings Bank), Richmond, Indiana, 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 274970814, which is assigned to West End Bank, S.B.; however, West End Bank, S.B. does not issue cashier's checks. It does, however, issue official checks.

The counterfeit items display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-left corner. The following security statement is embedded within a darkened top border with rounded corners: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." A security feature statement is also shown along the bottom border between two padlocks. The bank's logo, name, city, state and a telephone number ("1.866.469.8706"), which is not associated with the bank, are displayed in the top center. A rectangular box containing the numeric dollar amount is shown on the right side.

Authentic official checks display the routing number 096016765, which is assigned to US Bank, Saint Paul, Minnesota. West End Bank, S.B. issues official checks using a payable-through account at US Bank. The following security feature statement and the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are centered below the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." The bank's logo, name and address are shown in the top-left corner. Two "DESCRIPTION" lines are in the lower-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:

Beth Newton
Operations and Compliance Officer
West End Bank, S.B.
P.O. Box 190
Richmond, Indiana 47375
Telephone: (765) 962-9587, extension 261
Fax: (765) 962-1407
E-mail: bnewton@westendbank.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