Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Golden Bank, Houston, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

Golden Bank, National Association, Houston, Texas, 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 113015500, which is assigned to Golden Bank, National Association. The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and have ornate borders. They display the following security feature statement embedded in the top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A RED & GRAY BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW."

Authentic cashier's checks are blue-green and display the following security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A BLUE & GREEN BACKGROUND AND ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." When authentic cashier's checks are copied, a "VOID" background and graphic signature grid appear.

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:

Anne Chang
Senior Vice President and Cashier
Golden Bank, National Association
9315 Bellaire Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77036
Telephone: (713) 596-6830
Fax: (713) 596-6939
E-mail: annec@goldenbank-na.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