Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Lawrence Bank, Lawrence, Kansas, are reportedly in circulation

The Lawrence Bank, Lawrence, Kansas, 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 101114895, which is assigned to The Lawrence Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The items are green and display a "VOID" background when copied. The security feature statement "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER" is centered and embedded in a darkened top border. A security statement is also shown along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and an indemnity bond statement are in the top center. The bank's name and logo are shown in a darkened rectangle in the top-left corner. The bank's name (repeated) and the statements "Payable Through Lawrence Bank, Lawrence, KS" and "For Inquires call 1-800-373-0868" are in the top-left corner. The toll-free telephone number is not associated with the bank. Two signature lines are in the lower-right corner. "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" is shown below the first signature line and "COUNTERSIGNED" below the second. "REMITTER" appears in the lower-left corner and "Operator I.D." in the top-right corner.

Authentic checks are blue and have a foil strip across the top. The security feature statement "This document has a colored background, Foil Accent and a backside authentic watermark; absence of these features will indicate a copy" is in italic print and centered below the written dollar amount line. A padlock icon and vertical security statement appear on the right side. "CASHIER'S CHECK" appears in the lower-left corner. The bank's logo (a dark rounded square containing a four-point white star), name, location and telephone number, "785-838-9704," are top centered. The word "REMITTER" appears in the top-left corner and one signature line is displayed in the lower-right 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:

Vickie L. Knight
Executive Vice President
The Lawrence Bank
3500 Clinton Parkway
Lawrence, Kansas 66047
Telephone: (785) 856-9411
Fax: (785) 865-2999
E-mail: vknight@lawrencebank.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