Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Choice Financial Group, Grafton, North Dakota, are reportedly in circulation

Choice Financial Group, Grafton, North Dakota, 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 091302966, which is assigned to Choice Financial Group. The items are similar to authentic cashier's checks; however, authentic cashier's checks display the bank's telephone number below the address in the top-center area and a security feature below the "PAY TO THE ORDER OF" line. Also, a padlock symbol is shown to the right of the printed word "DOLLARS."

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:

Tara Field
Compliance Officer
Choice Financial Group
210 Eighth Avenue
Langdon, North Dakota 58249
Telephone: (701) 256-2141
Fax: (701) 256-2401
E-mail: taraf@choicefinancialgroup.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