Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name State Bank of Park Rapids, Park Rapids, Minnesota, are reportedly in circulation

State Bank of Park Rapids, Park Rapids, Minnesota, 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 091202338, which is assigned to State Bank of Park Rapids. The items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and have darkened top and bottom borders with rounded corners. A security feature statement is embedded in the top border and the Web site address "www.laserPrinterChecks.com" is centered along the bottom border. A padlock icon and a security statement are displayed along the right border. The bank's Web site logo (a half circle containing a horizon centered above a rectangle containing the bank name), name and address, "200 East 1st Street, Park Rapids, MN 56470-1508," appear in the top-left corner. "CASHIER'S CHECK," an indemnity bond statement and a toll-free telephone number ("1 (866) 471-8240"), which is not associated with the bank, appear in the lower-left corner. "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" is shown below the signature line.

Authentic cashier's checks have thin double-lined borders with square corners. The bank's logo (columned vertical blocks), the bank's name, the Minnesota state icon, location ("PARK RAPIDS, MINNESOTA 56470") and telephone number ("1-216-732-3366") are displayed in the top center. "CASHIER'S CHECK" appears in the lower-left corner. "REMITTER" is shown in the top-left corner and "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" 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:

Ann Lempola
Vice President
State Bank of Park Rapids
200 East 1st Street
Park Rapids, Minnesota 56470
Telephone: (218) 732-3366, extension 119
Fax: (218) 732-3982
E-mail: ann.lempola@statebankofparkrapids.com

Alternate Contact:

Darcey Fritze
Vice President
State Bank of Park Rapids
200 East 1st Street
Park Rapids, Minnesota 56470
Telephone: (218) 732-3366, extension 115
Fax: (218) 732-8829
E-mail: darcey.fritze@statebankofparkrapids.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