Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Portage Community Bank, Ravenna, Ohio, are reportedly in circulation

Special Alerts

SA-129-2008
June 19, 2008

TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)SUBJECT: Counterfeit Cashier's Checks Summary: Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Portage Community Bank, Ravenna, Ohio, are reportedly in circulation.

Portage Community Bank, Ravenna, Ohio, 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 secret shopping scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 041215498, which is assigned to Portage Community Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display the following security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border with rounded corners: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." Another security statement appears along the bottom border between two padlock icons. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are in the top-left corner. The bank's logo, name, city, state and a toll-free telephone number ("1.888.360.9571"), which is not associated with the bank, appear in the top center. The numeric dollar amount is shown in a rectangular box on the right side and "RE" is printed in the lower-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks are burgundy and display the following security statement within the top border: "SECURITY FEATURES ARE INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK." A security padlock is shown in the lower-right corner. The bank's logo name, address and the word "REMITTER" are in the top-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top center. The statement "VOID AFTER 60 DAYS" is shown above the signature line.

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:

Jill Conard
Vice President
Portage Community Bank
1311 East Main Street
Ravenna, Ohio 44266
Telephone: (330) 296-8090
Fax: (330) 296-6082
E-mail: jconard@pcbbank.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