Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Marco Community Bank, Marco Island, Florida, are reportedly in circulation

Marco Community Bank, Marco Island, Florida, 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 shopper scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 067015478, which is assigned to Marco Community Bank. Marco Community Bank does not issue cashier's checks; however, it does issue official checks. The counterfeit cashier's checks are dissimilar to authentic official checks. The counterfeit items are green and display the following security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are in the top-left corner. A toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank and typically begins with "1-888," is below the bank's name, city, state and ZIP code in the top-center area. The numeric dollar amount is contained inside of a printed rectangle. The word "PER" precedes the signature line. The words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" are printed below the signature line.

Authentic official checks have a hexagon background and ornate top and side borders with solid squares in the top corners and solid circles in the bottom corners. The following security feature statements are repeated below the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A CHAINLINK WATERMARK" and "HOLD TO LIGHT TO VERIFY WATERMARK." The bank's logo, address and telephone number, "(239) 389-5200," are 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:

Colette Heft
Vice President and Branch Manager
Marco Community Bank
1770 San Marco Road
Marco Island, Florida 34145
Telephone: (239) 389-5200
Fax: (239) 389-5273
E-mail: cheft@mcbfl.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