Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Greenville First Bank, Greenville, South Carolina, are reportedly in circulation

Southern First Bank, National Association (doing business as Greenville First Bank), Greenville, South Carolina, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. Neither Southern First Bank, National Association nor Greenville First Bank issues cashier's checks. However, both issue official checks.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 053000196, which is assigned to Bank of America, N.A., Richmond, Virginia. The counterfeit items are markedly dissimilar to authentic official checks. They are white with the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top center. The bank's name ("Greenville First Bank"), displayed between two darkened lines, and address ("112 Haywood Rd., Greenville, SC 29607") are shown in the top-left corner. The phrase "Purchased By" is in the lower-left corner, and the word "Signature" is below the signature line.

There are two versions of authentic official checks. They are identical in design and format; however, one shows the bank's name as "Greenville First" and the other shows the name as "Southern First." Authentic official checks are light gray with a perforated bottom edge. They have ornate black and white borders and when copied display a "VOID" background. A security feature statement is centered inside the top border. A hologram containing the words "SECURE" and "GENUINE" is shown in the top center. A double-bordered rectangle with outward pointing arrows at each end contains the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" and is shown in the top-center area. The bank's name (either "Greenville First" or "Southern First"), address ("P.O. Box 17465 – Greenville, SC 29606") and the word "REMITTER" are in the top-left corner. The phrase "authorized signature" is on the right side.

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:

Gwen Bridges
Executive Vice President for Risk Management
Southern First Bank, N.A.
dba Greenville First Bank
P.O. Box 17465
Greenville, South Carolina 29606
Telephone: (864) 679-9000
Fax: (864) 679-9402
E-mail: gbridges@greenvillefirst.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